Latest news with #CircuitCourt
The Journal
18 hours ago
- The Journal
Man sentenced to three months in jail for brandishing knife at asylum seeker in Dublin migrant camp
A DOG WALKER was sentenced to three months in jail after being convicted of brandishing a knife at an asylum seeker in a Dublin migrant camp. Raymond Lawless, 63, of St Andrew's Court, was found guilty of the production of a knife at Sandwith Street, both in Dublin 2, on 8 May, 2023. He denied the offensive weapon charge but was found guilty by Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court, handed a sentence, and fined €500. In evidence, the complainant said he was an asylum seeker who had been living in a tent in the encampment. He alleged that 'this man came around chasing everybody in the place with a knife'. He described it as a kitchen knife and recalled Lawless had his small Yorkshire terrier with him. However, he said the accused threatened to return later with two bigger dogs to 'chase us back to wherever we came from'. The witness said he called gardai to report the man coming into the camp to attack 'me and two or three guys'. He stated he tried to rescue his friends from Lawless. Cross-examined, he agreed he was intimidated not by the little dog with Lawless but because he said he would come back with two big dogs. Challenged over his knife claim, the defence barrister told the witness that Lawless had a trowel for cleaning up after his dog. 'It was a knife', he replied. Advertisement Garda Alan Cawley obtained CCTV footage from the area and took statements. The video evidence was played during the hearing. Rejecting the accusation when he took the stand, Lawless insisted he just went out to walk his dog and had a small garden trowel to clean up after his pet. He said he vaguely remembered the day and denied having anything on him to frighten anyone. Reacting to the complainant's evidence, Lawless said it was a 'complete lie' and he was adamant that he never went around carrying a knife. Questioned by the prosecutor, he confirmed he knew there was a refugee camp there because he lived across the road. He said he no longer had the trowel because the dog had died and he got rid of all his pet's things. When told the item looked like a knife, he replied: 'It may do, but I was not carrying a knife.' He added that he never spoke to anyone in the camp. Judge Hughes did not accept his account and said it was 'abundantly clear' in the CCTV footage that he was carrying a silver, chrome, long knife distinct from a garden trowel. He noted that the accused had one previous conviction for assault causing harm, which led to a Circuit Court imposing an 18-month suspended sentence in 2012. The court heard he had been receiving cancer treatment. Judge Hughes imposed the fine and a nine-month sentence but suspended the final six months on condition he did not reoffend in two years, had no contact with the complainant, stayed away from Sandwith Street, and completed an anger-management course. Lawless was released after lodging appeal bail.
Sunday World
18 hours ago
- Sunday World
Dog walker jailed for brandishing knife at asylum seeker in Dublin migrant camp
He alleged: "This man came around chasing everybody in the place with a knife". A dog walker was sentenced to three months in jail after being convicted of brandishing a knife at an asylum seeker in a Dublin migrant camp. Raymond Lawless, 63, of St Andrew's Court, was found guilty of the production of a knife at Sandwith Street, both in Dublin 2, on May 8, 2023. He denied the offensive weapon charge but was found guilty by Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court, handed a sentence, and fined €500. In evidence, the complainant said he was an asylum seeker who had been living in a tent in the encampment. He alleged: "This man came around chasing everybody in the place with a knife". Raymond Lawless. Photo: News in 90 Seconds - June 20th He described it as a kitchen knife and recalled Lawless had his small Yorkshire terrier with him. However, he said the accused threatened to return later with two bigger dogs to "chase us back to wherever we came from". The witness said he called gardai to report the man coming into the camp to attack "me and two or three guys". He stated he tried to rescue his friends from Lawless. Cross-examined, he agreed he was intimidated not by the little dog with Lawless but because he said he would come back with two big dogs. Challenged over his knife claim, the defence barrister told the witness that Lawless had a trowel for cleaning up after his dog. "It was a knife", he replied. Garda Alan Cawley obtained CCTV footage from the area and took statements. The video evidence was played during the hearing. Rejecting the accusation when he took the stand, Lawless insisted he just went out to walk his dog and had a small garden trowel to clean up after his pet. He said he vaguely remembered the day and denied having anything on him to frighten anyone. Reacting to the complainant's evidence, Lawless said, "That's a complete lie; I deny that," adamant that he never went around carrying a knife. Questioned by the prosecutor, he confirmed he knew there was a refugee camp there because he lived across the road. He said he no longer had the trowel because the dog had died and got rid of all his pet's things. When told the item looked like a knife, he replied, "It may do, but I was not carrying a knife." He added that he never spoke to anyone in the camp. Judge Hughes did not accept his account and said it was "abundantly clear" in the CCTV footage that he was carrying a silver, chrome, and long knife distinct from a garden trowel. He noted that the accused had one previous conviction for assault causing harm, which led to a Circuit Court imposing an 18-month suspended sentence in 2012. The court heard he had been receiving cancer treatment. Judge Hughes imposed the fine and a nine-month sentence but suspended the final six months on condition he did not reoffend in two years, had no contact with the complainant, stayed away from Sandwith Street, and completed an anger-management course. Lawless was released after lodging appeal bail.
Irish Examiner
21 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Dog walker who 'chased everybody in the place with a knife' at migrant camp is jailed
A dog walker was sentenced to three months in jail after being convicted of brandishing a knife at an asylum seeker in a Dublin migrant camp. Raymond Lawless, aged 63, of St Andrew's Court, was found guilty of the production of a knife at Sandwith Street, both in Dublin 2, on May 8, 2023. He denied the offensive weapon charge but was found guilty by Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court, handed a sentence, and fined €500. In evidence, the complainant said he was an asylum seeker who had been living in a tent in the encampment. He alleged: "This man came around chasing everybody in the place with a knife". He described it as a kitchen knife and recalled Lawless had his small Yorkshire terrier with him. However, he said the accused threatened to return later with two bigger dogs to "chase us back to wherever we came from". The witness said he called gardaí to report the man coming into the camp to attack "me and two or three guys". He stated he tried to rescue his friends from Lawless. Cross-examined, he agreed he was intimidated not by the little dog with Lawless but because he said he would come back with two big dogs. Challenged over his knife claim, the defence barrister told the witness that Lawless had a trowel for cleaning up after his dog. "It was a knife", he replied. Garda Alan Cawley obtained CCTV footage from the area and took statements. The video evidence was played during the hearing. Garden trowel Rejecting the accusation when he took the stand, Lawless insisted he just went out to walk his dog and had a small garden trowel to clean up after his pet. He said he vaguely remembered the day and denied having anything on him to frighten anyone. Reacting to the complainant's evidence, Lawless said: "That's a complete lie; I deny that," adamant that he never went around carrying a knife. Questioned by the prosecutor, he confirmed he knew there was a refugee camp there because he lived across the road. He said he no longer had the trowel because the dog had died and he had got rid of all his pet's things. When told the item looked like a knife, he replied: "It may do, but I was not carrying a knife." He added that he never spoke to anyone in the camp. Sentencing Judge Hughes did not accept his account and said it was "abundantly clear" in the CCTV footage that he was carrying a silver, chrome, and long knife distinct from a garden trowel. He noted that the accused had one previous conviction for assault causing harm, which led to a Circuit Court imposing an 18-month suspended sentence in 2012. The court heard he had been receiving cancer treatment. Judge Hughes imposed the fine and a nine-month sentence but suspended the final six months on condition he did not re-offend in two years, had no contact with the complainant, stayed away from Sandwith Street, and completed an anger-management course. Lawless was released after lodging an appeal for bail.
The Journal
3 days ago
- The Journal
Man pleads guilty to firearms charges in case linked to Carlow shooter Evan Fitzgerald
TWO YOUNG MEN charged with multiple firearms offences alongside Evan Fitzgerald, the 22-year-old man who died after firing shots at a shopping centre in Carlow earlier this month, have appeared before Naas Circuit Court this afternoon. The charges stem from an incident in March 2024, in which the two were arrested along with Fitzgerald. Shane Kinsella, of Tynock, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, and Daniel Quinn Burke, of Allendale Lawns, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, are facing charges under the Firearms Act relating to weapons and ammunition. All three had been facing the same four charges: two counts relating to the possession of weapons, and two relating to the possession of ammunition. Kinsella and Quinn Burke have been on bail since March 2024. Fitzgerald had also been on bail prior to his death. Advertisement During a hearing earlier this month at Naas District Court Judge Desmond Zaidan withdrew the charges against Fitzgerald , who fatally injured himself in the incident at the Fairgreen centre, and described his death as 'a suicide'. Kinsella and Quinn Burke, both aged 21, were accompanied by their mothers in court today. The charges for both were idential – possession of .45 calibre M1911A1 semi-automatic pistol, as well as a 7.62mm G3 assault rifle and a range of ammunition. After Judge Elva Duffy read the firearms charges aloud, Daniel Quinn Burke entered a guilty plea. He is due to return to court for sentencing on 7 October. Shane Kinsella, represented by solicitor David Powderly, requested more time before entering a plea. Judge Duffy agreed to adjourn the case, and Kinsella is expected to appear again on 18 July. 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
3 days ago
- Sunday World
Irishman bereaved in Spain returns home to face drugs charges
Tyrone Kelly (40) did not appear to face charges and Judge Cormac Quinn had subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest. A Killarney man is to face trial on several charges including dealing drugs valued at more than €13,000 after he came home from Spain voluntarily to face the charges after he experienced personal difficulties abroad. A Circuit Court bench warrant has been issued for his arrest and this was executed at a special sitting of Tralee Circuit Criminal Court this week. Tyrone Kelly (40) was returned for trial in June 2022 and this trial was listed for November 7 of that year, state solicitor Diane Reidy told Judge Dermot Sheehan who presided over the special sitting of the court. Tyrone Kelly leaving Tralee Circuit Criminal Court on Monday. News in 90 Seconds - June 17 Mr Kelly did not appear to face charges and Judge Cormac Quinn had subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest, she explained. Mr Kelly is charged on May 23, 2021 at Apartment 10, Block B, Wild Atlantic Apartments, Killarney, that he did have in his possession cannabis valued at more than €13,000 for sale or supply and that he had a large quantity of plastic freezer bags for the possession for the packaging of the controlled drugs and also a weighing scale with evidence of cannabis on it for purpose of drug trafficking, also at this address. He is also charged with the possession of a number of mobile phones one of which allegedly contained messages regarding drug dealing as well as allowing the preparation of a controlled drug at Apartment 10, Block B, Wild Atlantic Apartments, which he was the occupier of. He is also charged with the unlawful possession of cannabis and the possession of cannabis for sale or supply at the same apartment. The court was told by Sgt Martin McMahon that this bench warrant has now been executed. Solicitor Pat Mann said his client Mr Kelly didn't avail of the judicial system abroad and effectively came to court by arrangement. He said he had been informed that the State would be objecting to bail but he said his client would not be seeking bail. He said Mr Kelly's circumstances in Spain were tragic as a person very close to him had died unexpectedly. He was detained in custody to June 24 when Tralee Circuit Court sittings open again. Mr Mann said they would be hoping to dealing with the matter during the first week of Circuit Court sittings.
