A round-up of today's other courts news in brief
Kearney murder appeal on Tuesday
An appeal by Brian Kearney against his conviction for the murder of his wife Siobhán Kearney at their Dublin home will be heard by the Court of Criminal Appeal (CCA) on Tuesday.
Kearney was found guilty at the Central Criminal Court last year of murdering his wife and the mother of their young son at their home at Carnroe, Knocknashee, Goatstown, on February 28th 2006, his 49th birthday. Kearney denied the charge.
At the CCA yesterday, Ms Justice Fidelma Macken was told the appeal was ready to proceed. It will be determined by the three-judge court and is expected to finish within the day. Kearney (52) was convicted in March 2008 of his 38-year-old wife’s murder by a majority jury verdict of 11 to one, and Mr Justice Barry White imposed the mandatory life sentence.
Jail for attacking witness in trial
A Dublin man who kicked in the teeth of his victim because he gave evidence against him in a previous trial has been jailed for 4½ years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Liam Sullivan (29) drove his car into a group of pedestrians in 2001. Seán Harmon witnessed it as he walked by and gave evidence in the subsequent trial.
Judge Frank O'Donnell said he had "no hesitation at all" in sentencing Sullivan, of Bovale Park, Artane, to 4½ years.
The jury found him guilty of assault causing harm.
Man found guilty of possessing arms
A Dundalk man was convicted by the Special Criminal Court yesterday of having a gun and ammunition in the town last year.
Eugene Kelly (43), Ashling Park, Cox's Demesne, Dundalk, Co Louth had pleaded not guilty to possession of a semi-automatic pistol and fifty rounds of ammunition at Castletown Road, Dundalk, Co Louth on July 19th, last year.
Mr Justice John Mac Menamin remanded Kelly for sentencing on July 29th.
Rape of former girlfriend denied
A man accused of twice raping his ex-girlfriend has denied raping her on an earlier occasion but has admitted before a jury that he assaulted her a number of times during the course of their relationship.
The 19-year-old man, who cannot be named, has pleaded not guilty to raping the woman and burglary.
The accused denied that he had previously raped the complainant. "I would never force her to have sex with me. That's disgusting," the accused replied. He accepted he had slapped the woman when she was eight months' pregnant but described it as a minor incident.
No release from 2m guarantee
A bank has secured a summary judgment order for €2 million against a businessman over guarantees provided by him relating to leasing agreements made by his former company.
Matthew Brennan, Williamstown, Co Galway, had opposed the summary judgment application on grounds including that Bank of Scotland Ireland was aware he had sold his shareholding in the company, Brennan Brothers Plant and Machinery Sales Ltd, and had subsequently sought to be released from his guarantees.