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The Irish Sun
25-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Woman ‘dragged out' of home and held in car for 90 minutes after petrol bomb threat over missing dog, court told
A WOMAN was "dragged" out, forced into a car on Monday night , and driven for 90 minutes after alleged threats to petrol bomb her Co Kildare home over a missing dog, a court heard. Samantha Leeson, 34, of Priory Square, St Raphael's Manor, Celbridge, Co Kildare, and 36-year-old Richard O'Leary, of Bawnlea Green, Tallaght, Dublin, were charged with burglary and threatening to damage the woman's door and windows in Castletown, Advertisement 2 Samantha Leeson pictured at Blanchardstown District Court Credit: 2 Richard O Leary pictured at Blanchardstown District Court Credit: They were refused bail when they appeared separately before Judge David McHugh at Detective He alleged that at 10.10 pm on June 23, unemployed father of five Richard O'Leary arrived at the woman's home with others in '08-registered Volkswagen Jetta. Mother of two, Ms Leeson, allegedly drove the car. Advertisement READ MORE ON IRISH NEWS The contested bail hearings were told that gardai obtained excellent quality CCTV footage with audio from a neighbouring premises showing the car arriving at the property. Detective Garda Casey alleged Ms Leeson exited the driver seat, and the court was told that a panel on the front door was broken. The detective claimed Ms Leeson was roaring and shouting: "Get out here now or there's petrol bombs going through the doors, and get out here now before I break every other window." It was alleged that Ms Leeson gained entry to the house, followed by Mr O'Leary and another unnamed male. The woman gave a statement that they came in "against her will", the judge was told. Advertisement Most read in Irish News Latest The court heard the CCTV showed Ms Leeson "dragging the woman out of her house by her clothing, she is begging the female to stop, but she doesn't, and she is forced into the Volkswagen Jetta that is parked in the driveway, forced into the back seat." The footage was not played during the hearing. 90 MINUTES IN CAR The court was told two males, including Mr O'Leary, sat on either side of the woman, making it difficult to escape. Approximately an hour and a half later, gardai stopped the Volkswagen Jetta at Fortunestown Lane in Tallaght and found the woman still in the car, it was claimed. Mr O'Leary was allegedy in the front passenger seat at this point. Advertisement The judge noted the alleged injured party was not in court, and the detective could not say why. However, he asserted that his objection to bail was based on concerns about witness intimidation and that the pair would not appear in court. The detective agreed with Mark McMahon BL, for Mr O'Leary, that it was the female in the video who purportedly made the threat to burn the property. However, he added that it was a "joint enterprise". Advertisement Counsel said Mr O'Leary had no connection with Celbridge and was cooperative, which the detective accepted. He said Mr O'Leary was not rich and had no real relationship with the complainant. Detective Garda Casey said that imposing bail conditions would not alleviate his fears. MISSING DOG Mr McMahon submitted that his client showed a degree of good faith by identifying himself on CCTV. Advertisement Solicitor Leonard Leader told the court Ms Leeson had been friends with the complainant, but the relationship deteriorated. He told the court that the mother of two was a dog-lover who had asked the woman to look after her dog. Despite requests, information on the pet's whereabouts was not forthcoming. Mr Leonard said: "She thought that the dog had been entered into dog fights." The detective agreed that was the background. Advertisement Pleading for bail with conditions, the solicitor said the woman, who also resides in Clondalkin, Dublin, had two young children, and "the prospect of prison terrifies her". DENIED BAIL He also argued that there was insufficient evidence to predict she would fail to turn to court. Judge McHugh stressed they had the presumption of innocence but said the charges were very serious. Noting the garda evidence and defence submissions, he denied bail in each case and remanded them in custody. Mr O'Leary will appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday, while unemployed Ms Leeson will face her next hearing at Blanchardstown District Court via video link on July 1. Advertisement Both were dressed in grey sweaters and black pants but did not address the court and have yet to indicate pleas. The charges are under the Theft and Fraud and Criminal Damage Act, which carry 14 and 10-year sentences, respectively. Legal aid was granted.
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Garda faces trial for dangerous driving causing serious harm after Brazilian delivery driver's leg severed by car on M50
A GARDA faces trial after a Brazilian delivery driver's leg was severed by a car on the M50 in Dublin in 2023. Joao Henrique Ferreira, 25, who had lived in 2 Joao Henrique Ferreira's leg was severed by a car on the M50 in Dublin in 2023 Credit: Collins Photo Agency 2 Garda Neil Doyle is set to face trial Credit: When the incident allegedly occurred, he was at a slip road to the motorway in Following a probe by Fiosru, the police ombudsman (formerly Gsoc), criminal proceedings have commenced. The garda, dressed in a suit and tie, stood forward when the case was called, but did not address the court. Read more on News The prosecution told Judge Michele Finan that this was the first listing of the case. Lawrence Masterson BL, instructed by solicitor Daniel Hughes, representing Mr Ferreira, said his client had travelled back from Judge Finan noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions had authorised the case to stay in the District Court if the accused pleaded guilty. Otherwise, it would have to go to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers. Most read in Irish News Judge Finan held off on hearing an outline of the allegations. The accused has not indicated a plea and his barrister asked for disclosure of prosecution evidence. FURTHER SURGERY PLANNED Judge Finan noted that Mr Ferreira was set to go back to Brazil for further prosthetic surgery in two weeks. The prosecutor sought a four-week adjournment, which the judge granted. She also ordered the prosecution to provide the defence solicitor, Liz Hughes, with disclosure of evidence "as soon as possible" so the garda's legal team can "consider his position" and his plea. She told Garda Doyle he must return on June 12 to indicate a plea, and for the court to consider jurisdiction, and confirm his trial venue.
The Irish Sun
25-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
Catriona Carey and hurley maker brother Jack sent for trial accused of breaking company laws as books of evidence served
BUSINESSWOMAN Catriona Carey and her hurley maker brother, Jack Carey, have been sent forward for trial accused of breaking company laws. The former Ireland international hockey player, along with Mr Carey and a third co-accused, Paddy Maher, faces prosecution following a Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) investigation. 3 Catriona Carey has been sent forward for trial Credit: 3 Her hurley maker brother, Jack Carey, was also sent forward for trial accused of breaking company laws Credit: 3 The former Ireland international hockey player was charged with offences under the Companies Act from 2019 to 2022 Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription In February, Ms Carey, 46, was charged with The former financial advisor was accused of failing to provide information to the Companies Registration Office (CRO), to keep records or notify of a change of address, or to file Ms Carey, from At a later stage, charges were brought against the co-defendants. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS Jack Carey, 53, also from Kilkenny and who resides in Graiguecullen, Co The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) authorised that they would face a trial on indictment. Books of evidence were served on them when they appeared before Judge Shalom Binchy at Dublin District Out of the 51 charges in the books of evidence, 31 pertained to Ms Carey, eight to her brother Jack, and 12 to Mr Maher, 57, from the Glenmalure Gun Club in Co Most read in Irish News Judge Binchy told them they were being returned for trial to the next sitting of They were warned to notify prosecutors if they intended to rely on alibis in their defence. The trio spoke only to confirm the signatures on their bail bonds and have yet to indicate pleas. Connected charges are to be added to the indictment later. Legal aid was granted. A fourth man is due back in court at a later date and accused of connected offences.
