Ireland Criminal solicitor Cahir O’Higgins found guilty of stealing €400
Between 25 June 2020 and 11 February 2021, criminal defence solicitor Cahir O'Higgins, a man, carried out a prolonged campaign of harassment against Stephen O'Mahony, a fellow solicitor and former employee, culminating in an assault in February 2021 in which O'Higgins punched him in the face and broke his nose. Earlier in 2024 O'Higgins pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and harassment, and on 22 July 2024 Judge Kenneth Connolly at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to 16 months in jail, with the final 16 months of a 32-month sentence suspended on conditions including no contact with O'Mahony, his wife and family. The sentence was deferred to the end of September to allow him to settle his affairs, and he was granted leave to travel abroad before going to prison. On 15 November 2024 he was found guilty of stealing €400 and of perverting the course of justice, the latest development in the case.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted15 Nov
- Sentenced15 Nov
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Solicitor Cahir O'Higgins engaged in a prolonged campaign of harassment against Stephen O'Mahony, a fellow solicitor and former employee who left his firm to set up his own practice.
- The harassment culminated in an assault in February 2021 in which O'Higgins punched O'Mahony in the face, breaking his nose.
- Cause
- The harassment arose from an irrational obsession because the two men competed for the same work.
- When
- The harassment counts covered the period from 25 June 2020 to 11 February 2021.
- Investigation
- Part of the February 2021 assault was captured on CCTV footage.
- Charges
- Two further counts of simple assault against O'Mahony, on dates in December 2020 and January 2021, were taken into consideration.
- Earlier in 2024 O'Higgins pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm and one count of harassing O'Mahony.
- Where
- The simple assault counts were heard at the Criminal Courts of Justice, Parkgate Street, Dublin 7, and the sentence hearing was held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- On 22 July 2024 Judge Kenneth Connolly sentenced O'Higgins to 16 months in jail for the harassment and assault charges, from a 32-month sentence with the final 16 months suspended on conditions.
- The suspended part of the sentence included a condition of no contact with O'Mahony or his wife and family.
- The judge described O'Higgins' behaviour as deranged, thuggish, base and despicable.
- In court
- The sentence was deferred to the end of September to allow O'Higgins to settle his affairs, and the judge granted him leave to travel abroad before going to prison.
- On 15 November 2024 O'Higgins was found guilty of stealing €400 and of perverting the course of justice.
- Other details
- O'Higgins announced in September that he was closing his practice, and he has since gained a public order conviction over a cycle rage incident involving two plain-clothes gardaí.
26 statements extracted from the articles
- whatO’Higgins was found guilty of theft and perverting the course of justice. (thejournal.ie)
- whatO’Higgins engaged in a prolonged campaign of harassment against a former employee. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- whatO’Higgins punched O’Mahony in the face, breaking his nose. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe harassment culminated in an assault in February 2021 in which O'Higgins punched Mr O'Mahony in the face, breaking his nose. (rte.ie)
- whatCahir O’Higgins was found guilty of stealing €400. (extra.ie)
- whatThe case involved harassment against a former employee. (extra.ie)
- whereTwo simple assault counts occurred at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Parkgate Street, Dublin 7. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe sentence hearing was held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
- whenThe harassment counts covered the period between 25 June 2020 and 11 February 2021. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe harassment culminated in an assault in February 2021. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe harassment took place between 25 June 2020 and 11 February 2021. (rte.ie)
- causeThe harassment arose from an irrational obsession because the two parties competed for the same work. (rte.ie)
- investigationPart of the assault was captured on CCTV footage. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- chargeO’Higgins pleaded guilty earlier in the year to assault causing harm and harassment of Stephen O’Mahony. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeO'Higgins pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm to Stephen O'Mahony and one count of harassing him. (rte.ie)
- courtThe sentence was deferred to the end of September to allow O’Higgins to settle his affairs. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Connolly granted O’Higgins leave to travel abroad before going to prison. (thejournal.ie)
- courtO'Higgins was found guilty of theft and perverting the course of justice charges on the day the article was published. (rte.ie)
- courtCahir O’Higgins was found guilty. (extra.ie)
- sentenceThe judge described O’Higgins’ behaviour as deranged, thuggish, base and despicable. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceO’Higgins was sentenced to 16 months in jail on 22 July for the harassment and assault charges. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe judge handed down a 32-month sentence and suspended the final 16 months on conditions. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe suspended part of the sentence included a condition of no contact with O’Mahony or his wife and family. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceO'Higgins was sentenced to 16 months in jail by Judge Kenneth Connolly on 22 July for the harassment and assault charges. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe judge handed down a 32-month sentence and suspended the final 16 months on conditions, including no contact with Mr O'Mahony. (rte.ie)
- otherO'Higgins announced in September that he was closing his practice. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Nov2024Top criminal solicitor Cahir O’Higgins found guilty of stealing €400 as harassment against former employee revealed
Only the headline and summary label are present in the article text; the body is missing, so the location, date and court are not stated.
convicted, Cahir O'Higgins, named, irish (judged from name)Cahir O'Higginsvictim - 15 Nov2024Cahir O'Higgins previously jailed over assault case
Adds the harassment and assault case against Stephen O'Mahony: the harassment period, the February 2021 assault, the sentences imposed on 22 July 2024 and the suspended portion. Also reports the same-day guilty verdict on the theft and perverting the course of justice charges.
convicted, Cahir O'Higgins, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cahir O'Higginsvictim, Stephen O'Mahony, male, irish (judged from name)Stephen O'Mahony - 15 Nov2024Criminal defence solicitor engaged in 'deranged' campaign of harassment against ex-employee
Reports the jury verdict of guilty on theft and perverting the course of justice charges, and adds the harassment and assault background, the sentence details and the sentence deferral and travel leave.
convicted, Cahir O'Higgins, named, irish (judged from name)Cahir O'Higginsvictim, Stephen O'Mahony, male, irish (judged from name)Stephen O'Mahony