Latest news with #Kildare
BreakingNews.ie
21 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Man (50s) died after sustaining 16 knife injuries, one of which was 17cm deep, trial hears
A 50-year-old man who was more than eight times over the legal drink driving limit died after sustaining 16 separate knife injuries, one of which was 17cm in depth, a pathologist has told the Central Criminal Court. Ryan Kearney (39), with an address at Loughnamona Drive, Leixlip, Co Kildare, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Jeffrey Jackson (50) at The Lamps, School Street, Kilcock, Co Kildare on February 8th, 2024. Advertisement Mr Jackson's partner, Breda Kearney, has given evidence that when she returned home after a brief trip to the shop, she was met by her bloodied nephew, Ryan Kearney, who told her he had stabbed her partner in the neck and thought he was dead. In his garda interviews, Mr Kearney said that he took a knife off his aunt's enraged partner after a scuffle and gave him "a few jabs with it", telling detectives that he had no intention to kill and was in fear for his life. "It was either going to be me sitting here today or him sitting here today," the accused told officers. State pathologist Dr Sallyanne Collis today told Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, that she conducted a post-mortem on Mr Jackson's remains at Naas General Hospital in Co Kildare on February 9th, 2024. Advertisement The expert witness said there were at least 16 separate sharp force injuries to the deceased. One of those sharp force injuries was a stab wound on the left temple area within the hairline, as well as a stab wound to the right cheek. Other sharp force injuries included one to the lower right side of the chest, which terminated in the liver and a sharp force injury to the back of the right shoulder. There was an irregular force injury cut between the left thumb and index finger. The witness testified that there were two stab wounds to the back of the right upper thigh. Another stab wound was to the left calf, with a track depth of 7cm. Dr Collis said two stab wounds to the upper right side of the chest had entered the chest cavity, one went into the aorta, and the other had punctured the right lung. Advertisement There were no stab wounds or knife injuries to the neck area. Having examined the liver, the witness said the deceased had drank excessively and had fatty liver disease. Asked what she could tell the jury about the level of alcohol, Dr Collis said it was more than eight times the legal drink driving limit. She said a toxicology report showed a very high level of alcohol and that Mr Jackson was acutely intoxicated with alcohol at the time of death. Dr Collis said death was not instantaneous and had allowed time for movement. She said the alcohol consumption would have impaired Mr Jackson's thought processes and movements. "It might be difficult to stand up, and he could be falling over as well," she added. Advertisement In her evidence, Dr Collis said the longest stab wound track measured 17cm in depth. The witness said Mr Jackson's cause of death was stab wounds to the chest with no contributory factors. She said the two stab wounds to the upper chest cavity were fatal; one which punctured the right lung and the other which went into the aorta. Under cross-examination, Dr Collis agreed with Michael Bowman SC, defending, that if someone is advancing it can result in a deeper penetrative wound. She also agreed that the deceased would still have been capable of independent movement for a period of time in the context of a struggle. Advertisement In re-examination, the witness agreed with Mr Grehan that in terms of the two injuries to the chest - the lung and the heart - one of those was to a depth of 17cm and the other 16cm. Ireland Boy (14) involved in attack on off duty Garda was... Read More Dr Collis confirmed that the blade of the knife found on the draining board in the kitchen of the apartment was 11.9cm in length. Mr Grehan put it to the witness that both fatal wounds were much longer than the blade. Dr Collis said the track was into the body and agreed that the entire length of the blade had to have gone in. In his opening speech, Mr Grehan told the jury that evidence of the 16 separate knife injuries suffered by Mr Jackson during what the prosecution says was a "ferocious attack" in the apartment did not fit with Mr Kearney's account of having stabbed the deceased in self-defence. The trial continues on Monday before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of three men and nine women.
BreakingNews.ie
21 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Caravan parked at entrance road to Tesco Maynooth must be removed by Wednesday
The High Court has ordered a mother and her daughter to remove a caravan they are allegedly occupying at an entrance road to the large Tesco Extra shopping centre in Maynooth, Co Kildare. The caravan was allegedly towed a month ago and left at the road, which serves as the main delivery route to Tesco and for the Carton Retail Park generally. Advertisement A man called Dermot O'Brien, who died tragically just over two weeks after the caravan's arrival, told centre staff he had used his last €100 to have it towed there, that he was renting the caravan, and that he was going nowhere until Kildare County Council housed him and his family. The orders that the caravan be removed are against his widow, Sandra O'Brien, and her daughter, Valentine O'Brien, who allegedly continue to occupy it. Tesco Ireland Ltd regional manager for assets and estates, Keith Brady, said in an affidavit when he spoke to Mr O'Brien he observed there were no personal possessions such as clothing, food or a television in the caravan which suggested to him it had not been lived in for very long as of May 27th when it was towed there. After Mr O'Brien became irate with Mr Brady, the gardai were called and said Mr O'Brien was well known to them, but that the only way to move him was with a court order, as it was private property. Advertisement A garda also warned more caravans might arrive overnight and Tesco arranged for further security and the next day installed concrete blocks on the grass verge along with a gate. Mr O'Brien again refused to leave and also had An Post deliver a letter to him at the site which he showed to Mr Brady and stated he could now show the council he was living on the Tesco car park as he had the letter with his name and eircode on it. He also asked Mr Brady if he could arrange for someone to cut the grass around his caravan, Mr Brady said. Several people visited the caravan over the next few days. Matters escalated dramatically on June 5th when emergency services were called to the caravan following a tragic incident involving Mr O'Brien. He was taken to hospital and died on June 13th. Advertisement While Tesco had already been having legal proceedings prepared to seek the removal of the caravan, Mr Brady said he instructed their solicitors to refrain from taking any enforcement action out of sensitivity for the family. For several days after June 5th, cars were coming and going, and there were a number of people in the caravan, with people seen bringing alcohol into it. Mrs O'Brien was asked to move on June 19th and said she had nowhere to go. Mr Brady said he was also told by her the council has put her on the emergency housing/B&B list. Ireland Man (26) jailed for drugs haul worth over over €2.... Read More Ultimately, it was necessary to bring proceedings, Mr Brady said. Advertisement Apart from the trespass itself, there was a traffic safety risk for the caravan occupants and lack of basic sanitary services or waste disposal facilities, he said. He was also concerned the antisocial behaviour at the site will dissuade customers from shopping there. Mr Justice Brian Cregan said he was satisfied to grant an interim injunction prohibiting trespass and requiring the removal of the caravan. The application was made with only the Tesco side represented (ex parte) by Niall Fahy BL, for the company. The judge said the defendants must do so by 5pm next Wednesday, but if they wish to oppose the orders, they should turn up in court that day.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Majority of carvans camped on Curragh remain despite court order, judge hears
The majority of more than 80 caravans camping on Department of Defence-owned lands in the Curragh, Co Kildare, were still there on Friday morning despite a High Court order that they leave by 1pm, a judge was told. As a result, Mr Justice Brian Cregan ordered that interim injunctions he granted on Tuesday over the alleged trespass should remain in place until further order. More than 80 caravans, believed to be occupied by members of the Traveller community who come over from England and France for the summer, had parked at a number of different locations on the Curragh plain since March, the court heard earlier this week. Their presence has resulted in 'mountains of rubbish' having to be removed at a cost so far of €31,700. Some €186,000 was spent on similar clean-ups last year in what has become an annual problem for land owners, residents, and horse trainers in the Curragh, the Minister for Defence has claimed in proceedings seeking to remove the caravans. READ MORE There have also been problems with noise nuisance, scramblers and quad bikes causing damage to greens on a golf course, dogs running around horses being trained and animals being left to graze on the plain. The Defence Forces have been prevented from carrying out training on a firing range on the lands. The case was returned to Friday when there was no appearance for any of the caravan dwellers, including 21 named individuals who it had been possible to identify. The court heard the injunction notices were either handed to the occupants or pinned by bailiffs to the caravan doors and included a 'plain English' version of them ordered by the court. Kelley Smith SC, for the Minister, said that as of 10.10am on Friday, there were 60 caravans at four different locations on the lands. One slightly troubling aspect was that one group of caravans had moved from one location within the lands to another, she said. She applied to make the interim injunctions interlocutory, which means they stay in place pending the full hearing of the Minister's case against the defendants. Mr Justice Cregan said he was satisfied to grant the orders sought and said in notifying the defendants about the orders they should be informed, again in plain English, that further applications may be brought against them. Ms Smith said in event of failure to comply with the orders, it may be necessary to apply for attachment and committal orders seeking the jailing of the defendants for contempt.
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Most of carvans camped on Curragh plain still there, court hears
The majority of more than 80 caravans camping on Department of Defence-owned lands in the Curragh, Co Kildare, were still there on Friday morning despite a High Court order that they leave by 1pm, a judge was told. As a result, Mr Justice Brian Cregan ordered that interim injunctions he granted on Tuesday over the alleged trespass should remain in place until further order. Advertisement More than 80 caravans, believed to be occupied by members of the Traveller Community who come over from England and France for the summer, had parked at a number of different locations on the Curragh plain since March, the court heard earlier this week. Their presence has resulted in "mountains of rubbish" having to be removed at a cost so far of €31,700. Some €186,000 was spent on similar clean ups last year in what has become an annual problem for land owners, residents, and horse trainers in the Curragh, the Minister for Defence has claimed in proceedings seeking to remove the caravans. There have also been problems with noise nuisance, scramblers and quad bikes causing damage to greens on a golf course, dogs running around horses being trained and animals being left to graze on the plain. Advertisement The Defence Forces have been prevented from carrying out training on a firing range on the lands. The case was returned to Friday when there was no appearance for any of the caravan dwellers, including 21 named individuals who it had been possible to identify. The court heard the injunction notices were either handed to the occupants or pinned by bailiffs to the caravan doors and included a "plain English" version of them ordered by the court. Kelley Smith SC, for the minister, said that as of 10.10am on Friday, there were 60 caravans at four different locations on the lands. One slightly troubling aspect was that one group of caravans had moved from one location within the lands to another, she said. Advertisement She applied to make the interim injunctions interlocutory which means they stay in place pending the full hearing of the minister's case against the defendants. Mr Justice Cregan said he was satisfied to grant the orders sought and said in notifying the defendants about the orders they should be informed, again in plain English, that further applications may be brought against them. Ms Smith said in event of failure to comply with the orders, it may be necessary to apply for attachment and committal orders seeking the jailing of the defendants for contempt. ends
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Alleged murder victim was physically abusive when drunk, wife tells court
A woman has told the trial of the man accused of murdering her husband that her partner was an alcoholic who was physically abusive when drunk and that she had lived "in a constant state of fear" of being killed by him. Witness Emma Farrell on Thursday told the Central Criminal Court jury that her husband's violence could "erupt spontaneously without any provocation" on her part and the deceased was "the type of guy who had no fear". Advertisement Ryan Kearney (39), with an address at Loughnamona Drive, Leixlip, Co Kildare has pleaded not guilty to murdering Jeffrey Jackson (50) at The Lamps, School Street, Kilcock, Co Kildare on February 8th, 2024. Mr Jackson's partner, Breda Kearney, has given evidence that when she returned home after a brief trip to the shop she was met by her bloodied nephew Ryan Kearney, who told her he had stabbed her partner in the neck and thought he was dead. In his Garda interviews, Mr Kearney said that he took a knife off his aunt's enraged partner after a scuffle and gave him "a few jabs with it", telling detectives that he had no intention to kill and was in fear for his life. "It was either going to be me sitting here today or him sitting here today," the accused told officers. Advertisement Ms Farrell, who on Thursday gave evidence via video-link from Sheffield in the UK, told Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, that she had known Mr Jackson since 2010 and they got married in 2019. Asked in what circumstances had they moved from Ireland to Sheffield, the witness said her father had died and Mr Jackson "was free of cancer but it was probably going to come back". She said Mr Jackson had been receiving treatment for metastasized malignant melanoma, which was life-threatening. She said they decided to move back to her mother in Sheffield and with the "free treatment in the NHS". Ms Farrell said her husband had always been a drinker since they met and agreed it was a problem. She said Mr Jackson was an alcoholic and would use his illness benefit to fund his drinking. The witness said she had worked full time in a manager's position and supported him. Advertisement Asked about what Mr Jackson was like when he drank excessively, Ms Farrell said sometimes he could be "OK" but at other times he could be aggressive, depending on the alcohol he drank and his mood prior to drinking. She said her husband had been aggressive towards her and eventually their relationship had broken down. She said she had decided to end the relationship and Mr Jackson later moved back to Ireland. Under cross-examination, Ms Farrell agreed with Michael Bowman SC, defending, that Mr Jackson's drinking had reached a stage in 2015 where he was drinking "whatever money" he was getting as well as what she was earning. She said he effectively viewed alcohol as medicine for his illness. Ms Farrell told the jury that her husband was physically abusive to her when he was drunk but the emotional and verbal abuse would happen regardless. Advertisement She agreed she had told gardai in a statement in February 2024 in relation to this case that her husband would have his hands up around her throat, throttling her. "It could be up against a wall or a couch but it appeared to be consistent and ongoing?" asked Mr Bowman, which the witness agreed with. Mr Bowman put it to Ms Farrell that she had recalled a particular incident in her statement in 2015 involving Mr Jackson wanting a curry when she was in bed and she had ordered it. "It was too spicy, he dragged you out of the bed, pulled you down the stairs, he said 'you did that you fat bastard' and made you sit in the corner for two hours and you didn't move out of fear for what would happen otherwise?" asked counsel. The witness agreed that this had been the case. Advertisement Mr Bowman put it to the witness that her husband had her hands up around her throat in 2020 and she had looked into his eyes and that this was the end of the relationship. Ms Farrell agreed, saying she had "walked out the same day". The witness also agreed she had "grave concerns" for her safety and life at this stage. She further agreed that if Mr Jackson was drunk he could be violent and in her view was "the type of guy" who had no fear. The witness agreed with the lawyer that despite loving her husband she lived in "a constant state of fear". She said she found it difficult to balance affection for him against an honest fear that she could be killed by him. She said she reached out to police in 2020 and made a formal statement but at this stage Mr Jackson had moved back to Ireland. She agreed she had made it known to her husband that she had spoken to the police. She agreed with Mr Bowman that she only "countenanced any period of re-engagement" with Mr Jackson on account he could remain sober for six months and get help for his mental health issues but she had no expectations he would meet those conditions. Ireland Court throws out damages case brought over wheelba... Read More Ms Farrell also agreed her husband's violence could "erupt spontaneously without any provocation" on her part at all. In re-examination, Ms Farrell told the prosecutor that she and the deceased had separated but never got divorced. She said Mr Jackson was still her husband at the time of his death and that she had never sought medical treatment for any of "those incidents". She told the jury she was now getting counselling for complex post-traumatic stress disorder. In his opening speech, Mr Grehan told the jury that evidence of 16 separate knife injuries suffered by Mr Jackson during what the prosecution say was a "ferocious attack" in the apartment did not fit with Mr Kearney's account of having stabbed the deceased in self defence. The trial continues on Friday before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of three men and nine women.
