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18 May 2026 latest
  1. planningRetention Permission of extensions to dwelling house and garage
  2. planningPermission for - 1. Refurbishment, alteration and change of use of existing derelict
  3. planningRetention Permission for the following: 1. To retain alterations made to elevations of
  4. courtsJudge asks for information on allegation that garda photographed whistleblower in court
  5. planningOne new detached house within Tarmon Manor housing development
  6. planningNew slatted shed approved; existing straw shed can stay
  7. planningRetention Permission and Permission for development (Protected Structure RPS: 02600449)
  8. planningPermission for proposed development which will consist of the renovation of a derelict
  9. courtsGarda murderer claims psychiatric evidence contradicted legal test for insanity
  10. courtsJudge emphasises importance of media following press exclusion from Garda whistleblower case
  11. courtsSenior garda challenges media exclusion following disclosures regarding 'unsafe' gun holsters
  12. courtsRepeat offender hit same Aldi store seven times

Crime & Courts

68 stories

Judge asks for information on allegation that garda photographed whistleblower in court

A High Court judge has requested information regarding an allegation that a senior garda photographed a whistleblower and three accompanying individuals inside a courtroom. The Practice Directions and Rules of the Superior Courts prohibit audio and visual recordings of court proceedings. Counsel for Detective Chief Superintendent Brian O'Reilly informed Mr Justice Micheál O'Higgins that the photograph allegedly…

Courts News Ireland report
06 May 2026 · Courts News Ireland
Also covered in: Foxford

Garda murderer claims psychiatric evidence contradicted legal test for insanity

Stephen Silver has appealed his conviction for the murder of Garda Colm Horkan, shot eleven times with his own service weapon in Castlerea, County Roscommon, on 17 June 2020. Silver's legal team contends that psychiatric evidence presented at trial by the State contradicted the proper legal test for insanity under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. Defence counsel argued that Silver's mental illness substantially…

Courts News Ireland report
19 Mar 2026 · Courts News Ireland
Also covered in: Foxford

Judge emphasises importance of media following press exclusion from Garda whistleblower case

A High Court judge has underlined the significant role of media transparency following the Workplace Relations Commission's decision to exclude reporters from a hearing concerning a detective superintendent's protected disclosures about defective firearm holsters used by armed gardaí. Mr Justice Garrett Simons stated that any exclusion from public proceedings must be strictly justified and questioned whether the WRC…

Courts News Ireland report
05 Mar 2026 · Courts News Ireland
Also covered in: Foxford

Senior garda challenges media exclusion following disclosures regarding 'unsafe' gun holsters

A detective superintendent at the Garda National Technical Bureau has secured an expedited High Court hearing to challenge a decision by the Workplace Relations Commission to exclude media from his case. Det Supt Brian O'Reilly is seeking to overturn a WRC ruling that his matter should be heard in private, citing claimed sensitivities. He alleges he suffered workplace detriment after making protected disclosures…

Courts News Ireland report
04 Mar 2026 · Courts News Ireland
Also covered in: Foxford

Repeat offender hit same Aldi store seven times

A 40-year-old man from Castlerea, County Roscommon, has withdrawn an appeal against his 15-month custodial sentence imposed for a series of thefts from retail outlets. Owen Maughan was convicted in the District Court of twelve theft charges committed between July 2024 and April 2025. He targeted the same Aldi store in Dublin on seven separate occasions, stealing approximately €1,498 worth of alcohol, groceries and…

Courts News Ireland report
24 Feb 2026 · Courts News Ireland

'Intolerable' for garda's family to have impasse in Stephen Silver appeal 'drag on', judge says

A Court of Appeal review heard today that proceedings in the appeal of Stephen Silver against his murder conviction have stalled over access to psychiatric disclosure from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Silver, aged 48, a motorbike mechanic from Aughaward, Foxford, County Mayo, is serving a 40-year minimum sentence following his conviction for the capital murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan at the Central…

Courts News Ireland report
12 May 2025 · Courts News Ireland
Also covered in: Foxford

'No forgiveness': Silver to serve 40 years for murder of Garda Colm Horkan

Stephen Silver, aged 46 and a resident of Aughaward, Foxford, County Mayo, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years at the Central Criminal Court following his conviction for the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan on 17 June 2020 at Castlerea, County Roscommon. Justice Tara Burns imposed the sentence, noting she had no discretion in light of the jury's guilty verdict on the capital…

Courts News Ireland report
19 Apr 2023 · Courts News Ireland
Also covered in: Foxford

Jury finds Stephen Silver guilty of capital murder after two trials

A jury at the Central Criminal Court has found Stephen Silver guilty of capital murder following a retrial. Silver, aged 46, a mechanic from Aughaward, Foxford, County Mayo, was convicted of fatally shooting Garda Colm Horkan with the officer's own firearm on 17 June 2020 near Castlerea, County Roscommon. The jury of seven men and five women reached their unanimous verdict after deliberating for eight hours and 39…

Courts News Ireland report
15 Mar 2023 · Courts News Ireland
Also covered in: Foxford

Jury to continue deliberating in Garda Colm Horkan murder trial

The jury in the Central Criminal Court trial of Stephen Silver continues deliberations in the case concerning the death of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on June 17, 2020. Mr Silver, aged 46 and from Aughaward, Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The jury, comprising seven men and five women, has deliberated for over five hours and will resume…

Courts News Ireland report
14 Mar 2023 · Courts News Ireland
Also covered in: Foxford

'This is not trial by expert, this is trial by jury': garda murder trial jury begin deliberations

A jury at the Central Criminal Court has begun deliberations in the trial of Stephen Silver, charged with the murder of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Mr Silver, aged 46 of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Justice Tara Burns instructed the jury of twelve that possible verdicts include capital murder, murder, or…

Courts News Ireland report
13 Mar 2023 · Courts News Ireland
Also covered in: Foxford

'No rational basis or motivation' for shooting garda, defence tell murder trial jury

At the Central Criminal Court, defence counsel Dominic McGinn SC argued during closing submissions that Stephen Silver's shooting of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020 was not a rational act and should prompt questions about his mental capacity at the time. Mr McGinn told the jury that Mr Silver's behaviour in custody was erratic, including urinating in his cell and banging his head…

Courts News Ireland report
10 Mar 2023 · Courts News Ireland

Murder accused had 'seething resentment' toward gardai, prosecution tell jury

Stephen Silver, aged 46 of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, stands trial at the Central Criminal Court on a charge of murdering Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. In closing submissions for the prosecution, Michael Delaney SC argued that the shooting was a deliberate act carried out with intent to kill, and that Mr…

Courts News Ireland report
09 Mar 2023 · Courts News Ireland
Also covered in: Foxford

+56 older crime & courts stories →

Planning

7 stories

Retention Permission of extensions to dwelling house and garage

Roslyn McDonnell Legal Personal Representative (LPR) of William Kelly is seeking permission Retention Permission of extensions to dwelling house and garage, retention permission of storage shed, all on revised boundaries previously granted under 11965, and planning permission to upgrade existing effluent treatment system all as per drawing documentation submitted together with all ancillary site…

Roslyn McDonnell Legal Personal Representative (LPR) of William Kelly
File ref: 2660231 · Roscommon County Council
18 May 2026 · Roscommon County Council (Planning)

Permission for - 1. Refurbishment, alteration and change of use of existing derelict

James Lohan, is seeking permission Permission for - 1. Refurbishment, alteration and change of use of existing derelict cottage and granary building to provide a single self-contained two-bedroom short-term holiday dwelling incorporating ancillary games room and sauna facilities. 2. Installation of a proprietary wastewater treatment system and polishing filter together with all associated site…

James Lohan,
File ref: 2660055 · Roscommon County Council
12 May 2026 · Roscommon County Council (Planning)
Also covered in: Tulsk

Retention Permission for the following: 1. To retain alterations made to elevations of

Emer Casey is seeking permission Retention Permission for the following: 1. To retain alterations made to elevations of existing dwelling house. 2. To retain extension of existing dwellinghouse. 3. To retain existing septic tank and percolation area and all ancillary site works. 4. To retain changes to existing site boundary treatments including stone wall and pillars to north boundary at at…

Emer Casey
File ref: 2619 · Roscommon County Council
11 May 2026 · Roscommon County Council (Planning)

One new detached house within Tarmon Manor housing development

AMC Developments is seeking permission to build one detached house at Tarmon Manor in Castlerea. The new dwelling will be located within the existing housing development and will connect to all the services already there.

AMC Developments LTD.
File ref: 2660205 · Roscommon County Council
01 May 2026 · Roscommon County Council (Planning)

New slatted shed approved; existing straw shed can stay

Patrick Filan has been given the green light to build a new slatted shed on his land in Castleplunket, and he's also allowed to keep an existing straw bedded shed that's already there. The decision came through in April 2026 with some conditions attached.

Patrick Filan
File ref: 2660101 · Roscommon County Council
30 Apr 2026 · Roscommon County Council (Planning)

Permission for proposed development which will consist of the renovation of a derelict

John Larkin is seeking permission Permission for proposed development which will consist of the renovation of a derelict single-storey dwelling house, along with the construction of an adjoining extension (c. 54m²) to the rear. The works will also include the installation of a proprietary wastewater treatment system, connection to services, and all associated site works at at Rathbarna…

John Larkin
File ref: 2660185 · Roscommon County Council
23 Apr 2026 · Roscommon County Council (Planning)

Retention Permission and Permission for development (Protected Structure RPS: 02600449)

Kearney Chemist Ltd. is seeking permission Retention Permission and Permission for development (Protected Structure RPS: 02600449) consisting of: Retention and completion of renovation works to the partly reconstructed two-storey annex, located to the rear of the property. Retention and completion of renovation works to the ground-floor retail unit and first-floor living accommodation, including…

Kearney Chemist Ltd.
File ref: 2560167 · Roscommon County Council
23 Apr 2026 · Roscommon County Council (Planning)

Court Reports

Cases and rulings mentioning Castlerea from local newspapers and Courts News Ireland.

Courts Reporting Scheme 2026-02-24 Courts News Ireland

Repeat offender hit same Aldi store seven times

A 40-year-old man from Castlerea, County Roscommon, has withdrawn an appeal against his 15-month custodial sentence imposed for a series of thefts from retail outlets. Owen Maughan was convicted in the District Court of twelve theft charges committed between July 2024 and April...

Central Criminal Court 2023-03-14 Courts News Ireland

Jury to continue deliberating in Garda Colm Horkan murder trial

The jury in the Central Criminal Court trial of Stephen Silver continues deliberations in the case concerning the death of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on June 17, 2020. Mr Silver, aged 46 and from Aughaward, Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to...