A round-up of today's other court news, in brief
Manslaughter conviction over stabbing
A MAN has been found not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of a 26-year-old man after a stabbing in Ballymun last year.
Bernard Christopher Joyce (21), also known as Brian Joyce, of Carton Road, Poppintree, had denied murdering James Donoghue (26) as part of a joint enterprise with two others at Dane Road, Ballymun, on September 10th, 2006. He had also denied the charges of violent disorder and production of a knife.
The jury at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin found Joyce guilty of violent disorder and production of a knife on Tuesday after four hours of deliberation. Having been sent to a hotel overnight by Mr Justice George Birmingham they returned with the unanimous verdict on the murder charge yesterday.
Joyce was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on February 2nd.
Gardaí to review death case
The DPP has instructed charges be withdrawn and has requested an investigative review by gardaí in relation to the death of a man who lost a six-month battle for life following a serious assault, an inquest heard yesterday.
Anthony Byrne (37) originally of Kilworth Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12 died in hospital on July 9th, 2007, six months after he was assaulted as he left the Mercer St flats, near St Stephen's Green, on January 18th, 2007.
The DPP decision was announced during a brief hearing at Dublin City Coroner's Court yesterday.
Inspector Ann Markey of the Bridewell Garda station applied for a four month adjournment of the inquest into Mr Byrne's death so an investigative review can take place. The coroner Dr Brian Farrell granted the application and adjourned the inquest until a date in April 2009.
Man charged with sister's rape
A 34-year-old man was arrested yesterday and charged with a number of sex offences, including rape, against his younger sister. The offences are alleged to have been committed in a south Donegal village on a variety of dates between 1991 and 2000, starting when the girl was nine-years-old
Judge Kevin Kilrane at Donegal District Court fixed bail at €1,000. The case was adjourned to February 4th.
The defendant faces four charges of rape and another 40 of sexual assault and carnal knowledge.
Trafficking appeal rejected
The Court of Criminal Appeal has dismissed an appeal by a Nigerian lawyer against his four-year sentence for trafficking illegal immigrants into Ireland.
Olaitan Ilori (40), a father of four, Oak Drive, Blessington, Co Wicklow was convicted in July 2007 on 12 counts of organising or knowingly facilitating the entry into the State on October 27th 2004 of 12 adult Mauritian nationals whom he knew, or had reasonable cause to believe, were illegal immigrants.
The three judge court, with Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns presiding and sitting with Mr Justice Declan Budd and Mr Justice Daniel Herbert, dismissed the appeal.
Would-be robber admits role
A man who had hoped to make up to €70,000 from the armed robbery of a cash-in-transit van celebrated his 30th birthday in custody yesterday. David Kavanagh of Cherry Orchard Cresent, Ballyfermot, was caught by gardaí in the attempted robbery on August 6th, 2003, at Ashtown Service Station on the Navan Road.
The father-of-one pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having a firearm with intent to commit robbery and to allowing himself be carried in a stolen car. Judge Desmond Hogan remanded him in custody for preparation of a probation report.