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Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Mum-of-five (43) who bit, scraped and spat at gardaí after arrest jailed
Rosemary Sweeney from Kiltimagh assaulted two guards who were attempting to remove her shoes while she was intoxicated A mother-of-five who bit, scraped and spat at two gardaí has been given a six-month prison sentence. Rosemary Sweeney of Carrick, Kiltimagh, County Mayo, attacked two gardaí while severely intoxicated as they tried to move her into a cell in 2022. The 43-year-old, who has 18 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to Section 3 assaults on Garda Darren Mullahy and Garda Patrick Egan when she appeared before Castlebar Circuit Court earlier this year. On Thursday, June 30, Garda Patrick Egan responded to a report of a female intoxicated and lying on the ground in Kiltimagh, County Mayo. Gda Egan arrived at the scene and found Rosemary Sweeney in an intoxicated state and unable to stand up unaided. Assisted by Garda Carrol Murray, Gda Egan arrested her and conveyed her to Claremorris Garda Station. Stock photo Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 18th After arriving at the station at 2.45pm, Gda Egan introduced her to Garda Darren Mullahy who put her details into the custody record. Gda Egan and Gda Mullahy then attempted to place her in the station cell. While doing so, she became abusive. Sweeney then spat at Gda Mullahy and began to kick out at both gardaí. During the altercation, she scraped Gda Mullahy's neck and bit Gda Egan's left index finger, causing it to bleed. She continued to kick as they attempted to remove her shoes, striking Gda Egan in his left knee in the process. Gda Mullahy incurred bruising, an abrasion on his left shin and suffered pain in his shoulder and lower back following the assault. Gda Egan had to receive a tetanus shot, painkillers and antibiotics as a result of being bitten on the hand and was advised to rest for four to six weeks. The injured gardaí declined to give victim impact statements. Wednesday's sitting of Castlebar Circuit Court heard there were two outstanding bench warrants against Sweeney at the time of her arrest. The court was told that the bulk of her previous offences were related to intoxication. These include eleven public order offences, three assaults and three thefts. She recorded her first conviction when she was 39 years old and has been in custody since February on foot of sentences imposed by other courts for separate offences. Defence barrister Diarmuid Connolly, instructed by solicitor Cathy McDarby, said that his client had not seen her children – who are between 14 and 24 years old – since entering the Dóchas women's prison earlier this year. Mr Connolly said it was 'appalling' that two gardaí were assaulted, but described his client's actions as 'a knee-jerk reaction of someone who was frightened and intoxicated in a situation that was unfamiliar to her'. Since entering custody, he said his client has made progress and has enjoyed her longest period of sobriety in recent years. Mr Connolly said his client was 'deeply remorseful' and 'deeply ashamed' of her actions and said her time in custody had given her an 'exquisite tutorial in what will happen if she resorts to drink and drugs again'. 'This is a lady that needs a helping hand more than punishment,' Mr Connolly said. Judge Eoin Garavan said he had 'no sympathy for her' on account of her previous bench warrants and said she 'didn't learn her lesson' after previous court appearances. He imposed a headline sentence of two years in custody, reduce suspending 12 months of the sentence for three years. Judge Garavan directed her to undertake an addiction course during or after her time in prison. He also ordered that she be supervised by the probation services for the first two years of her three-years suspended sentence and comply with all directions regarding her addiction.
Sunday World
05-07-2025
- Sunday World
Member of Macari takeaway family robbed and assaulted American tourist, court told
Stefano Gianluca Macari (24) had the victim's wallet and bank cards on his person when he was searched by gardaí. A young member of the Macari takeaway family robbed and assaulted an American tourist, kicking him to the head as he lay on the ground, a court has heard. Stefano Gianluca Macari (24) was caught by gardaí with his two co-accused smoking crack cocaine a short distance from where they left the tourist lying injured on the road, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today Macari had the victim's wallet and bank cards on his person when he was searched by gardaí. He made no admissions when interviewed and was due to stand trial on the matter last February, but he failed to appear. He has been in custody since he was arrested in June and he entered guilty pleas shortly after, Jane McGowan BL, prosecuting, told the court. Macari, of the Spire Hostel, Marlboro Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to robbery and assault causing harm to the man – an American doctor in his 40s – on April 27, 2023. His two co-accused, a man and a woman, entered earlier guilty pleas and were jailed for four and five years respectively. Macari has 27 previous convictions, including burglary, handling stolen property, theft and assault. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 4th Detective Garda Mark Reilly told the court that the tourist was in Temple Bar on the night in question and was trying to find his hotel when he was joined by Macari's male accomplice, who offered to help him home. While the pair were walking through Dublin, they were joined by Macari and the woman. They then set upon the man, assaulting him and causing him to fall to the ground. While there, Macari kicked him 'a number of times in the head', prosecuting counsel said. The trio rifled through the man's pockets and stole cash and his wallet before fleeing the scene. They were arrested a short time later in a nearby petrol station. The tourist was treated by paramedics at the scene for his injuries, which included lacerations and bruising to the face. He declined to go to hospital and treated his injuries himself with temporary stitches, the court heard. A victim impact statement was handed into court but not read aloud. Judge Martina Baxter watched a short clip of CCTV footage of the incident from the bench and noted that before leaving the scene, Macari aimed a 'gratuitous strong kick' to the victim's upper body. She noted the victim was left lying on a public road, where traffic could have come by. Derek Cooney BL, defending, said it was a 'nasty, nasty crime' and that his client wanted to offer an unreserved apology for his actions that night. He said Macari is a member of the Macari takeaway family and has had 'significant difficulties throughout his life'. He has struggled with drug addiction and has been by ostracised by his family in recent years, the court heard. He has had periods of homelessness and living in hostels. His brother died of a heroin overdose some years ago and this caused Macari's life to spiral out of control, defence counsel said. 'He has had opportunities, coming from a very well-respected family and educational opportunities, but drugs got the better of him,' Mr Cooney said. He said Macari's father is supportive of him and an offer has been made for him to work in the family business upon his release. Judge Baxter said she would finalise the matter in November. She ordered a probation report, governer's report and urine analysis for that date.
Sunday World
01-07-2025
- Sunday World
Man accused of threatening to strangle his ex and knock her teeth out
The accused (35) allegedly made the threats in a phone call to the woman, who had taken out a protection order against him, a court heard A man has been accused of breaching a domestic violence order by threatening to strangle his ex-partner and knock her teeth out. The accused (35) allegedly made the threats in a phone call to the woman, who had taken out a protection order against him, a court heard. Judge Michèle Finan granted him bail and adjourned the case. A garda told Dublin District Court he met the accused by arrangement at a garda station on June 23. He made no reply to the charge after caution. The garda said it was alleged the man threatened the woman in a phone call. Objecting to bail, the garda said he feared if released, the accused might try to communicate with the alleged victim. The woman was afraid he would contact her again and intimidate her but declined to come to court to give evidence at the bail hearing. Applying for bail, defence solicitor Eoin Lysaght said his client was presumed innocent and denies the allegation. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 1st Judge Finan granted bail with stringent conditions. The accused is to abide by the protection order and must have no contact directly or indirectly with the woman, including on social media. The exception is he can make childcare arrangements with her, but only via email.
Sunday World
12-06-2025
- Sunday World
Four arrested in relation to Dublin armed burglary that left man (60s) hospitalised
Gardaí say four individuals entered the home of a couple, who are aged in their 60s, and assaulted and threatened the couple with a firearm. Four men have been arrested in relation to an alleged aggravated burglary that occurred at a residence in Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill on Wednesday night. The incident is said to have taken place at approxminately 7.30pm in the evening. During the course of the aggravated burglary, four individuals entered the home of a couple, who are aged in their 60s, and assaulted and threatened the couple with a firearm. The 4 individuals left the scene in a vehicle and a electric bike. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 12th Gardaí responded to the incident and a search of the area took place, during which a semi-automatic firearm was recovered. Gardaí arrested three individuals when they stopped a vehicle and a fourth individual was arrested a short distance away who was on a electric bike. The owner of the home, a man in his 60s, was removed from the scene to St. Vincent's University Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. All four men, one aged in his 60s, one in his 20s and two juveniles are currently detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at Garda stations in Dublin. Investigations are said to be ongoing.
Sunday World
05-05-2025
- Sunday World
Serial thief's level of offending ‘totally off the scale', judge says
Judge Michele Finan adjourned the case for a probation report, ordering him to stay out of Dublin city centre under bail conditions A serial thief has admitted multiple shoplifting charges in what a judge described as a level of offending that was 'off the scale'. Dean O'Brien (28) had 'spiralled' on drugs at the time, a court heard. Judge Michele Finan adjourned the case for a probation report, ordering him to stay out of Dublin city centre under bail conditions. The accused, with an address at Christchurch Apartments, pleaded guilty to theft and possession of stolen property on dates late last year and early this year. Dublin court. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 5th Dublin District Court heard he stole €176 of groceries and two jackets worth €259 from Marks & Spencer. In other incidents, he was found in possession of breakdown assistance and first-aid kits, and €750 worth of stolen GHD products. Gardaí found Apple AirPods worth €120 on him at St James's Hospital last November 16. O'Brien had 71 previous convictions. The accused had a chaotic background and 'spiralled entirely out of control' on drugs, but was now clean, his solicitor Kate McGhee said. He and his partner had been living in a tent, but now had accommodation. 'The level of offending before me is totally off the scale,' Judge Finan said.
