Legal News

Giu Lu (24), Jin Ping Chen (26) and Zhen Jie Lin (24), all of no fixed abode, have been remanded in custody until next month for growing up to €800,000 worth of cannabis plants in Youghal, County Cork. The three men were arrested on the night of March 12th last after gardai discovered the cannabis operation at Unit 3 of the Springfield Industrial Estate in Youghal, County Cork. The men were charged with illegally cultivating cannabis.  After initially being brought to court in Carrick-on-Suir last week, the men were back in court in Cashel yesterday when the gardai applied for a further remand in custody.  Judge Terence Finn ordered the three men to be remanded in custody to appear again on the 4th of April before Dungarvan District Court. The men were assisted throughout the hearing by an interpreter.   

A man who hid over €500 worth of cocaine in a golf bag has received community service in Tallaght Court. Judge Ann Ryan heard that Shane Cronin was going to share the cocaine with friends on a golf holiday. Cronin (34) with an address at Killinarden Estate, Tallaght pleaded guilty to simple possession of cocaine, simple possession of amphetamine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at his home on November 25, 2010. He was later interviewed by Gardai and admitted he had the cocaine as he was going on a golf trip and was planning on sharing it with his friends. Cronin’s Solicitor Tanya Moeller said that Cronin was sharing the cocaine with friends and was not selling it or making profit from it, adding that the defendant was worried about the impact this would have on his family. Judge Ryan said Cronin should have thought about his family when he committed the offences. She sentenced Cronin to 200 hours community service with nine months imprisonment in default.  

A SCHOOL GIRL who stole pensioners paintings has been further remanded for a probation report by Tallaght Court.The 15 year old with an address in Rathfarnham had pleaded guilty to stealing paintings worth €150 from an activity centre in Firhouse on May 27 Last.She was before Judge John Lindsay for a probation report and one from the National Educational Welfare Board. Her solicitor asked Judge Lindsay to follow the recommendations in the report . The judge remanded her on continuing bail to a date in June for an updated report.  

A MAN who handled two stolen diamond ring has been sentenced to six months in jail.Michael Connors (22) with an address at Daletree Place in Firhouse had pleaded guilty to handling two stolen gold diamond rings at Ballycullen Road in Firhouse on November 11, 2010.He also pleaded guilty to damaging the wiper of a car in Firhouse on a date between June 17 and June 18, 2010. Connors was before Judge David McHugh in Tallaght Court for sentencing.His Solicitor Michael Hennessey said that Connors was currently serving a sentence and was due for release in January 2013. Objecting to legal aid , Sergeant Carmel Henry said Connors had been found in possession of a Rolex watch. Judge McHugh sentenced Connors to six months jail for handling offence and to six months suspended for two years for the criminal damage.

It has been reported that the Minister of State for Housing, Mr. Willie Penrose, has asked the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) to investigate whether there is a need to introduce a deposit protection scheme for people who rent properties.  

It has been reported that Minister for Justice Alan Shatter is considering releasing long-term prisoners earlier than planned in an effort to ease prison overcrowding. 

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter has announced that the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2011 relating to the investigation of white collar crime will come into effect tomorrow, Tuesday 9th August. 

It has been reported that Tallaght Court heard that Diane Cusack, 32, of Whitechurch Avenue, Rathfarnham, attempted to swallow a bag of heroin while she was being searched in Rathfarnham Garda Station on 29th December 2010. 

Shelly Duncan, 34, of Kilcarrig Crescent, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to having no insurance, no driving licence and failing to produce her insurance certificate at Kilcarrig Crescent on 30th January 2011. 

Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Mr. Alan Shatter has signed into effect a measure which will assist juries in their deliberations in complex theft and fraud trials.