Other court stories in brief. . .
Derry priest on indecent assault charge
A priest in the diocese of Derry has gone on trial charged with indecently assaulting a teenage girl almost 30 years ago.
Fr Patrick Crilly (63), Tobermore Road, Desertmartin, Co Derry, denies four charges of indecently assaulting the girl between September 1977 and November 1980.
The jury was told by the prosecution that the abuse took place after the schoolgirl, now aged 45, had been referred to Fr Crilly for counselling as she was thinking of becoming a nun.
Man jailed for sex assault on child
A 26-year-old man with a conviction for possession of child pornography has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court for the sexual assault of a child in a house in which he was lodging seven years ago.
The man, who cannot be named by order of Judge Carroll Moran, was convicted of possessing child pornography in 2004, fined €1,500 and placed on the sex offenders register.
Last March he pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault on the then six-year-old girl between January and May 2000.
Two charged with attempted murder
A Dublin man has told a court he felt like his face was burning off after being shot outside his home on New Year's Day 2005.
On the first day of the trial yesterday, Robert Gavin told the Central Criminal Court that he was now blind in his left eye as a result of the shooting near his home at Belcamp Lane, Coolock. Patrick (42) and Martin McDonagh (31), Dunsink Lane, Finglas, have pleaded not guilty to his attempted murder.
They have also pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder Patrick and John Gavin, intentionally or recklessly causing harm to Robert Gavin and to having a sawn-off shotgun.The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury.
Seven years for drugs possession
A recently married man and father of two has been sentenced to seven years in prison after he held a bag containing €102,000 worth of cannabis resin to pay off a drug debt. Derek Caffrey (39), Darndale, Dublin, built up a €800 drug debt after using cocaine on an "on-off basis" for over two years.
Caffrey agreed to hold the drugs on the understanding that this debt would be cancelled. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs for sale or supply in December 2005.
Eight years jail for delivering drugs
A north Dublin haulier who transported almost €113,000 worth of drugs in his car has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
Noel Mooney (23), St Catherine's Park, Rush, had received the Probation Act as a teenager after he admitted to a number of sex assaults. He told gardaí he collected and delivered drugs around Balbriggan, Swords and Portmarnock because he heard there was "good money in it".
Two years for having cocaine
A north Dublin man has been jailed for two years for having cocaine worth €17,500 hidden under the bonnet of his car. Ivan O'Connor (26), St Cronan's Avenue, Swords pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having the cocaine for sale or supply at Donabate in November 2004.