Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0625Care order · Co. Dublin

Full care order granted to baby born addicted to cocaine

A full care order was granted at Dublin District Court for a five-month-old baby born in early January 2026 who presented with cocaine withdrawal symptoms after his mother, who had been homeless and sleeping rough during her pregnancy, tested positive for heroin, cocaine and cannabis. Neither parent attended the hearing before Judge Conor Fottrell, and the baby is now healthy and thriving in a foster placement with no contact from the parents since soon after birth. Separately, American man Jason Cardiff, arrested at his Rathgar home on 18 June on a US extradition warrant for fraud, identity theft and witness tampering, had his extradition proceedings adjourned at the High Court on 10 July while he seeks to change solicitors. woman Aideen O'Byrne's High Court case over alleged overheating in her €6.16m Lansdowne Place apartment was adjourned until after a mediation set for 12 October.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court10 Jul
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A full care order was granted for a five-month-old baby born in early January 2026 who presented with withdrawal symptoms including tremors, sneezing, a high-pitched cry, and a positive toxicology test for cocaine.
  • The mother was homeless and sleeping rough during her pregnancy, and toxicology testing late in pregnancy returned positive for heroin, cocaine and cannabis.
  • Neither parent attended the hearing, their solicitors had not received instructions, and there was no evidence of any change in the parents' addiction, homelessness, or ability to engage with professionals.
  • The baby is now healthy and thriving in a longer-term foster placement, and the parents have not had contact with their son since soon after his birth.
  • American man Jason Cardiff was arrested at his home in Rathgar on 18 June on a US extradition warrant for fraud, identity theft and witness tampering related to homeopathic oral strips sold in 2018.
  • woman Aideen O'Byrne bought a Lansdowne Place, Ballsbridge apartment for approximately €6.16m and claims temperatures reached 33C due to a failure to maintain or repair the district heating system.
In court
  • An emergency care order was granted in mid-January, followed by a voluntary care arrangement for eight weeks, before the full care order was granted at Dublin District Court before Judge Conor Fottrell.
  • His extradition proceedings were adjourned at the High Court on 10 July while he seeks to change solicitors and potentially apply for State legal aid, with bail conditions continued.
  • Her case against developers Copper Bridge C 2015 ICAV and engineers O'Connor Sutton Cronin and Associates Ltd was adjourned until after a mediation scheduled for 12 October.
Sentence
Cardiff could face up to 20 years in jail if convicted and denies the charges.
Other details
The defendants in the apartment case deny the claims, and Copper Bridge said it had experts who flatly contradict the claims.
39 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe is alleged to have defrauded customers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars over homeopathic oral strips sold in 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe apartment was marketed in 2017 as thought to be the most expensive in Ireland. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAideen O'Byrne bought the apartment for approximately €6.16m. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatShe claims temperatures in her apartment reached 33C degrees due to a failure to maintain or repair the district heating system. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatTemperatures in lobby areas have been recorded to reach 29C degrees. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe five-month-old baby was healthy and thriving in a safe environment at the time of the decision. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe mother was homeless and sleeping rough during her pregnancy. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatToxicology testing late in the mother's pregnancy returned positive for heroin, cocaine and cannabis. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFollowing birth, the baby presented with withdrawal symptoms including tremors, sneezing, a high-pitched cry, and a positive toxicology test for cocaine. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBoth parents left the child in the neonatal intensive care unit for long periods over the following few days. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA longer-term foster-placement was found where the infant still lives. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe parents have not had contact with their son since soon after his birth. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThere was no evidence of any change in relation to the parents' addiction, homelessness, or ability to engage with professionals. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereCardiff was arrested at his €3 million home in Rathgar in mid-June. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe apartment is at Lansdowne Place, Ballsbridge, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenHe was arrested at his home on Highfield Road in Rathgar on June 18th and granted bail with conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenShe moved into the apartment in 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe baby was born in early January 2026. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe US Department of Justice charged him with fraud, identity theft and witness tampering. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtExtradition proceedings initiated by the US against Jason Cardiff were adjourned in Dublin while he seeks to change solicitors. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBarrister Brian Storan of Mullholland Law told the High Court Cardiff may seek State legal aid. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Sean Gillane adjourned the case for a mention later in the month and continued bail conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe High Court approved his arrest warrant on May 11th. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtShe has sued the developers Copper Bridge C 2015 ICAV and engineers O'Connor Sutton Cronin and Associates Ltd. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtPleadings had closed and most discovery had been agreed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe parties agreed to go to mediation on 12 October. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Brian Cregan adjourned the case until after the mediation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin District Court before Judge Conor Fottrell. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtTusla sought a care order for the baby until his 18th birthday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtNeither parent attended the hearing and their solicitors had not received instructions. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAn emergency care order was granted in mid-January to last a couple of days. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe parents agreed to a voluntary care arrangement for eight weeks. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge said the parents could at any time re-engage with Tusla. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceHe could face up to 20 years in jail if convicted. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCardiff denies the charges. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe American businessman has lived in Ireland since 2022 and posts videos from his Dublin 6 base. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defendants deny the claims. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCopper Bridge said it had experts who flatly contradict the claims and that it spent three years trying to address them without progress. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGavin Mooney SC is acting for Ms O'Byrne. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Jul2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Full care order granted to baby born addicted to cocaine

    Full care order granted at Dublin District Court; Judge Conor Fottrell described the case as 'very sad' and noted the mother's vulnerability and chronic drug use, with no evidence of change in the parents' addiction, homelessness, or ability to engage with professionals.

    victim, 0, male
  2. 10 Jul2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Court row over 'most expensive apartment in Ireland' allegedly overheating

    Reports that pleadings had closed, most discovery was agreed, and the parties agreed to mediation on 12 October 2026; the judge adjourned the case until after mediation.

    victim, Aideen O'Byrne, female, irish (judged from name)Aideen O'Byrne
  3. 10 Jul2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Millionaire fugitive seeks solicitor change in extradition proceedings, court hears

    First report of the extradition proceedings; case adjourned by Judge Sean Gillane for a mention later in the month while Cardiff seeks to change solicitors and potentially apply for State legal aid.

    accused, Jason Cardiff, male, American, named, non-irishJason Cardiff