Sunday 1 November 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. 22915False imprisonment (unlawful detention) · Co. Laois

High Court awards €2,500 damages each to three Real IRA men for unlawful detention in Portlaoise

The High Court, in a judgment by Mr Justice Cian Ferriter, awarded €2,500 in damages to each of Fintan O'Farrell, Declan Rafferty and Michael McDonald, all from Co Louth, for a period of their incarceration in Portlaoise Prison found to be unlawful following their 2002 conviction in England for terrorist offences related to the Real IRA.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court13 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe three men had attempted to source arms and financial support from the Iraqi government. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAll three were extradited to England after their arrests. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThey were arrested by Slovakian police in July 2001. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenIn 2006 they were transferred to Portlaoise Prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJust under four years of the eight-year detention period was found to be actionable. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe High Court awarded €2,500 in damages to each of the three men. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThey received prison sentences of 28 years each. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe men spent only just over 13 years in prison in total. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe men were represented by Micheal Ó Higgins SC, David Conlan Smith SC and Declan Higgins BL, instructed by solicitor John Quinn. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Jan2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Court awards damages for unlawful detention of men convicted of acquiring weapons for Real IRA

    Reports the High Court judgment awarding €2,500 damages each to three men for the period of their detention in Portlaoise Prison found to be unlawful, following defective transfer warrants from a UK prison.

    convicted, Fintan O'Farrell, male, named, irish (judged from name)Fintan O'Farrellconvicted, Declan Rafferty, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Raffertyconvicted, Michael McDonald, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael McDonald