Judge Martin Edward Nolan Dublin Circuit Court
Judge Martin Edward Nolan Dublin Circuit Court
Over 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for Dublin Circuit Court judge Martin Edward Nolan to resign
Over 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for a judge to resign
AN ONLINE PETITION calling for the resignation of a judge has attracted over 2,000 signatures.
Judge Martin Nolan this week handed down a suspended sentence to a former civil servant who was found to have over 7,000 indecent images of children on his computer.
That sentence sparked outrage among some people online, leading to a surge in signatures on the petition, which was started over a year ago.
Nolan’s decisions, particularly in the arena of sexual crime, have made headlines. He has previously given suspended sentences to a man who sexually assaulted his neighbour while her son lay in bed beside her.
He also suspended a four year sentence to a man who sexually assaulted an 18-year-old on condition he pay a €15,000 compensation to his victim.
Nolan’s sentencing has been contrasted with the six year term he handed to food importer Paul Begley, who was found guilty of not paying tax to the value of €1.6 million on garlic.
However, one legal professional, who did not wish to be named, called the petition “ridiculous”.
“Judges cannot do their jobs in fear of a public backlash on every decision.
The constitution guarantees judiciary independence and there are ways for the state to appeal the leniency of a sentence, should they see fit.
“Judges have to be independent for the justice system to work.”
Read: Judges happy that their concerns are ‘fully understood’
Read: Shatter row: Judges’ group outlines concerns for judiciary independence
Judge Nolan's Controversial Ruling Sparks Nationwide Fury
In an unprecedented move, Judge Martin Nolan made a jaw-dropping decision NOT to jail a migrant who attempted to abduct a child. This ruling has ignited fiery debates across Ireland and beyond. Is our justice system protecting the vulnerable—or failing them? Watch as we break down this controversial case that s shaking the nation. 📢 Share ...
Judge Martin Nolan's Controversial Ruling Debated
Join the conversation on judge Martin Nolan s recent decision. Get insights from Clare Clarkson and more on the latest events in Ireland. #ClareClarkson #WhatsgoingonIreland #ASKCLARE #BeautybyCED Claire Clarkson(@whatsgoingonireland). original sound - Claire Clarkson.
Was judge Martin Nolan right? #ClareClarkson #WhatsgoingonIreland #ASKCLARE ...
tiktok.com2 years ago
The judge who controversially jailed garlic man
The Irish Daily Mail 30th April 2024 by Aisling Scally
Dublin Circuit Court Judge started out as a garda whose daily job was to catch criminals -but having been appointed a judge he attracted widespread criticism for allowing some offenders to walk free.
Having trained as a barrister, he was appointed to the Dublin Circuit Court on the nomination of Fianna Fail Progressive Democrat coalition in May 2007.Originally from Wexford Martin Edward Nolan joined the garda in 1979. In 198 he left the Garda Force and went to King's Inn to study for the Bar. The judge. who represented Wexford's minor country footballers. had a mixed barrister's practice for 15 years.
Judge Martin Edward Nolan, who us in his mid=50's made headlines in 2012 when he jailed a food importer for six years for not paying 1.6 million euros in garlic taxes. In January some 3,500 people had signed an online petition calling for Judge Noan to resign after he allowed a series of sex offenders to walk free from court. while jailing a man who imported garlic labelled as apples.
In October 20212, Graham Griffiths, 29, of the Saltings, Annagassan, Co. Louth, was convicted of a random violent sexual assault on a girl of 17. Judge Martin Edward Nolan have him four years suspended sentence and ordered Griffiths to pay his victim 15,000 euros. In another case Judge Martin Edward Nolan have a three-years suspended term to Aidan Farrington, 45, of Glasnevin, Dublin, for sexually assaulting two of his own nieces.
In February a man who tried to choke his ex-partner with a vacuum cleaner flex before beating her with an iron, threatening her with an iron, threatening her with a knife and smashing a wine bottle on her head was jailed for 20 months by the judge. In sentencing, Judge Nolan said the man, Ralph Currivan, 49, of Dunawley Grove, Clondalkin Dublin, had been a 'very good and law-abiding citizen's until the incident in December 2012
- INL News Journalist and Researcher Joseph Davis found guilty on trumped up false charges by what a witness in court under sworn oath claimed was likely to be what. Irish Lawyer John Mitchel in the 1840's irish Famine called 'A Packed/Corrupted Jury Panel".. with the judge Martin Edward Nolan, who is a former Irish Garda, also being accused by a witness under sworn oath of helping the Director of Public Prosecutions Prosecuting Solicitors Helena Kiely and Ross Murphy and their Prosecuting female barrister of running the whole of the Joseph Davis Trial heard in Court 15 at the Circuit Court in Dublin's Criminal Court of Justice on the 7th, 8th and 9th July 2025, in a corrupted and unfair way, and at no point giving Joseph Davis a fair trial, to help corrupted Garda Aden Healy and Garda Joseph Lonergan and Superintendent Gordon Woulfe all from the Black Rock Garda Station who were corruptly acting for a wrongful and illegal purpose for Black Horse Scaffolding owner Thomas Corcoran and Dunnes Stores and the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, as set out in multi million euro High Court Plenary Summons P.2025.181 Derek O'Shaughnessy v Thomas Corcoran and Others, to gain a wrongful conviction against INL News Group's journalist Joseph Davis.. this wrongful conviction will be appealed to the Irish Court of Appeal on over 20 strong grounds of appeal which will include a request for former garda Circuit Court Judge Martin Edward Nolan to be completely removed as a judge for running a trial in an obvious blatant corrupted way..
- Judge Martin Edward Nolan who was a Former Irish Garda and now an Irish Circuit Court Judge, and well publicized Peodophile protector and sympathizer, has continued in with his other conspirators as listed below the conspire to pervert the course of justice in the DPP v Joseph Davis Trial be ordering two Irish Garda Conway Garda Number 254 and another Garda Number 34 D158 to forcibly remove Joseph Davis's first defence witness from the witness stand just as this defence witness had just started giving evidence.. to stop the truth from being told as to how and why Joseph Davis has been illegally AND WRONGFULLY CHARGED AND TRIED FOR CRIMINAL OFFENCERS JOSEPH DAVIS DID NOT COMMIT.... to make sure Joseph Davis does not have a fair trial..
Man missing from Dublin located safe and well
Missing man, Joseph Davis. File picture.
Gardaí have thanked the public for their assistance.
Earlier: Gardaí are seeking the public's help to trace the whereabouts of a man missing from his Dublin home.
Joseph Davis, 48, was last seen leaving his home on Sunday, April 4, at around 1.30pm on the Navan road in Dublin 7.
Mr Davis is described of being of slim build with blue eyes and short brown hair and 5'9" in height.
When last seen on Sunday he was wearing a green hoody, beige boots, blue jeans and a navy cap.
Anyone with information on Mr Davis's whereabouts is asked to contact Cabra Garda station on 01 666 7400, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
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Bail for Dublin man who appeared in court naked after emotional support cat went missing - Dublin Live
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https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/bail-dublin-man-who-appeared-28963437
Bail for Dublin man who appeared in court naked after emotional support cat went missing
He appeared before Judge Marie Quirke at a weekend sitting of the Dublin District Court where he entered naked with his hands over his private parts, but within seconds he stood with arms outstretched to argue his case after rejecting the services of a lawyer, telling him to "f**k off"
A man who previously appeared in court naked after his “emotional support” cat went missing when he was arrested during a traffic stop has been remanded on bail.
Joseph Davis, 51, appeared before Judge John O’Leary at Cloverhill District Court today via video link. The accused, who is from Ashington Mews in Dublin 7, has been charged with Road Traffic Act offences of failing to give Gardai his details and not keeping the car stationary during an alleged incident at Dunsink Drive in Finglas last week.
He appeared before Judge Marie Quirke at a weekend sitting of the Dublin District Court where he entered naked with his hands over his private parts, but within seconds he stood with arms outstretched to argue his case after rejecting the services of a lawyer, telling him to "f**k off".
Mr Davis claimed he had been stripped and humiliated as he demanded an opportunity to speak. The court sergeant informed Judge Quirke the man had his property, including his clothes, and "he just won't put them on".
Mr Davis went on a tirade but was warned that anything said must be relevant to the case. He said: "Let me tell you my story. This is relevant; this is my story. What happened yesterday, I was travelling with my companion pet Oliver, he normally comes into this court.
Mr Davis claimed he had been stripped and humiliated as he demanded an opportunity to speak. The court sergeant informed Judge Quirke the man had his property, including his clothes, and "he just won't put them on".
Mr Davis went on a tirade but was warned that anything said must be relevant to the case. He said: "Let me tell you my story. This is relevant; this is my story. What happened yesterday, I was travelling with my companion pet Oliver, he normally comes into this court.
"I was dropping off legal documents pertaining to a legal case in the High Court."
Mr Davis, who is unemployed, banged on the glass barrier in front of the dock and called out: "Where is my emotional support animal?"
Judge Quirke was told that Mr Davis was previously allowed to bring the cat to court with him, provided he kept it on a leash.
During today's appearance in front of Judge O'Leary, he said his trousers had been “stolen” and nobody knew where they were.
Mr. Davis, who was representing himself, wore a grey sweatshirt and sported a beard. He said he had been “trying to make bail since Saturday”.
He added: “I have to get my medical treatment.” The whereabouts of Mr. Davis’ cat were not discussed during the short hearing.
But Mr. Davis did say: “I have an emotional support..." - before stopping mid-sentence. Judge O’Leary granted bail on a bond of €300 and advised Mr Davis to get legal advice for his next hearing.
There were no objections to bail and he was ordered to “keep the peace”.
Mr. Davis will next appear at Blanchardstown District Court on April 24 to enter a plea.
CLAWS FOR CONCERN |
Dubliner refuses to stand trial unless he can bring pet cat ‘Oliver’ with him
“Oliver is the most important thing in my life. I don’t have a wife or children”
Judge Patricia Ryan refused to allow Oliver into court without a medical report
Joseph Davis said he needs his cat Oliver to be with him in court
A man due to stand trial on assault charges this week refused to enter a courtroom unless he was allowed to bring his pet cat ‘Oliver’ in with him.
Joseph Davis (52), of Dublin 7, was due to stand trial at Dublin Circuit Court accused of a number of offences – including assault causing harm, assault, threatening and abusive behaviour, obstruction and failure to give name and address.
However, when the case was called on Thursday, a friend of Davis addressed the judge and said: “He’s not coming to court without his cat.”
Judge Patricia Ryan put the case back to a second calling.
At that stage, Davis was standing directly outside the courtroom holding his feline friend Oliver, which he said he needed as an emotional support cat.
Judge Patricia Ryan refused to allow Oliver into court without a medical report
A number of gardaí were blocking the door of the courtroom to prevent Davis from entering with his cat, while explaining to him that the judge said he could not bring the moggy into the chamber.
He insisted he needed the cat to be with him in court and it was essentially a medical issue.
“Is this judge a doctor?” Mr Davis asked gardaí, as a crowd gathered around him.
One man in the crowd shouted: “I’m a witness.”
The case was called again and a second friend of Mr Davis, who did not identify herself, said: “Joseph is outside and was informed he can’t come in with his emotional support animal”.
Judge Ryan once again said the accused would not be allowed to bring his cat into court and said she would deal with the situation at the end of the list. She added that there may be an application made by the prosecution for a bench warrant if he didn’t come into the courtroom by the end of the list.
His friend said: “He’s outside, you can’t issue a warrant for someone who is outside – and the man is and will be here for the day.”
Judge Ryan explained, saying she was issuing a warrant but pointing out that such an application could be made by the prosecution if he didn’t come into the courtroom.
A short time later the friend came back into the court and said: “Joseph is still outside. The man is outside.”
The prosecution later said they were going to make an application for a bench warrant but Judge Ryan said she was going to let the matter stand while she dealt with other cases.
When it came back up, Judge Ryan said: “Mr Davis has indicated he has a cat and requires that to be present in court. Joseph Davis was in this court yesterday and didn’t have a cat.”
Judge Ryan said if he is insisting that he could not attend court without his pet then he required a medical report from a doctor saying he is reliant on the cat for support.
She said if this has been a long-term problem it should be the case that he can get a medical report over the coming days from a doctor.
She adjourned the case until Tuesday and said Mr Davis be informed that he needs to bring the medical report on that day.
Mr Davis has previously explained to the Sunday World that he can’t cope without his cat Oliver.
“Oliver is the most important thing in my life. I don’t have a wife or children. I live with my parents and I’ve raised him since he was a kitten. I just need to make sure he’s OK.”
At that stage he had lost his cat and hadn’t seen him for three days.
“Cats go one way in the pound … you never get them back … and my phone is dead so I don’t have any idea what happened to him,” he said at the time.
After our reporter gave him his phone, Mr Davis called his brother who told him Oliver had returned home.
“I’m the happiest man in the world,” he said after he arrived home and his cat jumped up into his arms. You don’t know how much it means to me to have him back. You really don’t!”
Dubliner refuses to stand trial unless he can bring pet cat Oliver with him. - "Oliver is the most important thing in my life. I don’t have a wife or children" : r/ireland
Petition Seeking Resignation of Judge Martin Nolan gains over 36,000 signatures
Irish News
https://gript.ie/petition-seeking-resignation-of-judge-martin-nolan-gains-over-36000-signatures/
An online petition calling for the resignation of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court Judge Martin Nolan has received over 36,000 signatures.
The petition claims that the judge is “not fit for his job” and that he “proves [this] time and time again” with his lenient sentences.
Nolan is known for doling out controversially lenient sentences. In 2016 a retired senior civil servant in the Department of Health and Children, Brendan Phelan, was given a fully suspended sentence after being caught with over 60,000 images and videos of child pornography.
More recently, Judge Nolan decided to “take a chance” on serial offenders Daniel Kavanagh and Thomas Harvey.
The pair – who have 172 previous convictions between them – were given fully suspended sentences after they appeared before Nolan in relation to a burglary.
Their previous convictions are for burglary, firearms, public order offences, and criminal damage.
Just last week two Iraqi sisters were allowed to walk free from court after falsely claiming over €10,000 in asylum seeker’s benefits from the state by concealing their EU citizenship.
Also last week, 19 year old Josh Conlon walked free after his involvement in a drug related attack on a woman in which she was beaten with sticks and repeatedly had boiling water poured over her.
Josh Conlon (19) has been given a fully-suspended sentence for his role in a two-hour attack, during which a woman was tied up, beaten with a broom handle and had boiling water poured over her. https://t.co/rjtgBa7g1t pic.twitter.com/exSPDT60Bk
— Courts News Ireland (@courtsnewsIRL) February 8, 2023
In October last year Andrew Brennen who “punched and kicked his ex-partner in a “savage” attack before standing on her neck and telling her he was going to kill her” received a fully suspended sentence from Nolan.
Andrew Brennan (41), who punched and kicked his ex-partner in a “savage” attack before standing on her neck and telling her he was going to kill her has received a fully suspended prison sentence. pic.twitter.com/HcHtQRd2CX
— Courts News Ireland (@courtsnewsIRL) October 12, 2022
In the same month a taxi driver who deliberately drove into a cyclist was given a fully suspended sentence despite having two previous convictions for minor road traffic offences.
On the same day as the last judgement, Judge Nolan gave an entirely suspended three-year sentence to an Educate Together principal who stole over €44,000 from his school over a three-year period.
Also last year, Sandra Kavanagh, who drove into the hard shoulder and collided with a motorcyclist killing the man was given a fully suspended sentence after appearing before the judge.
Sandra Kavanagh (47), who drove into the hard shoulder of a motorway, colliding with a motorcyclist and causing his death, has been given a suspended sentence and disqualified from driving for four years.
She has four previous convictions for road traffic offences. pic.twitter.com/2rvMnBk81l
— Courts News Ireland (@courtsnewsIRL) November 7, 2022
Nolan remarked that Kavanagh – who had four previous convictions for road traffic offences – did not deserve a custodial sentence “for her bad driving on the day in question”.
More details on some of Nolan’s sentencing can be read here.
- Irish Circuit Court Judge and former Irish Garda Martin Edward Nolan
- Irish Circuit Court Judge and former Irish Garda Martin Edward Nolan
- is accused in Court for being involved with a Conspiracy to Pervert the Course of Justice to make sure Joseph Davis does not obtain a fair trial , with his co-conspirators senior Irish Director of Public Prosecution Ross Murphy, Helena Kiely, Garda's from Black Rock Garda Station Garda Superintendent Gordon Woulfe, Garda Adam Healy, Garda Tony Galway and Garda Joseph Lonergan Garda Number 37161M and well known scaffolding company owner Thomas Corcoran who owns Black Horse Scaffolding.
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Controversial court lenient sentencing for Child Abuse Offenders is why the focus on Irish Circuit Court Judge and former Irish Garda Martin Edward Nolan ...Morewww.irishtimes.com The Public demanded that
Another Special INLtv.co.uk Exclusive Dublin Circuit Report where Judge Martin Edward Nolan , who attracted controversy for the perceived leniency of some of the sentences he has passed, particularly in the areas of Child Sexual Abuse Material or child sexual assault, which resulted in an online petition to remove him from the bench attracted thousands of signatures. and along with senior Irish Director Prosecuting Solicitors Helena Kiely and Ross Murphy and their female DPP Barrister conspired to Pervert The Course of Justice in the case of the Director of Prosecutions v Joseph Davis being heard at a Dublin Circuit Court at a trial that started on the 7th July 2025 in Court 7 of the Dublin Circuit Court in Dublin's Criminal Court of Justice Building. The case will continue in Court 15 on the 8th July 2025 before Circuit Court Judge Martin Edward Nolan, and what is believed by the USA Weekly Investigation Team (www.usaweekly.com.au), to be a packed jury panel specially selected to find Joseph David guilty regardless of the evidence that is present to the court.
- Irish Circuit Court Judge and former Irish Garda Martin Edward Nolan
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https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/garda-turned-judge-is-used-to-controversy/28820779.htm Irish News
Garda-turned-judge is used to controversy
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A FORMER garda now turned judge finds himself in the eye of a growing public storm over sentencing guidelines.
Circuit Court Judge Martin Nolan hit the headlines earlier this year when he jailed a food importer for six years for not paying €1.6m in garlic taxes.
Judge Nolan (52) joined An Garda Siochana in 1979 and remained a member of the force until 1989. He then decided to study at Kings Inn to be a barrister and was called to the Bar.
He worked for more than 15 years on the south-eastern circuit in a mixed practice before being appointed as a judge more than six years ago.
In March, he presided over a case in which the court was told that Paul Begley (46), of Begley Brothers in Blanchardstown, Dublin, had evaded paying duty on more than 1,000 tonnes of garlic.
Imposing the sentence, Judge Nolan said he gave him "no joy at all to jail a decent man" but that Begley had engaged in a "huge" tax-evasion scheme.
That same month, the mother of a juvenile sentenced to six years for a violent burglary screamed at the judge that he had earlier handed down a lighter sentence to a child abuser.
As she was arrested for contempt and was being escorted to the cells, the woman shouted to Judge Nolan that he "gave a pervert four years for raping children".
Some months later, the judge presided over another case in which a man was given a suspended three-year sentence for assaulting a woman on condition that he paid one of his victims €12,000.
Two other charges of assault causing harm to two other women were taken into consideration.
- Judge Martin Edward Nolan who was a Former Irish Garda and now an Irish circuit Court Judge, and well publicized Peodophile protector and sympathizer, has continued in with his other conspirators as listed below the conspire to pervert the course of justice in the DPP v Joseph David Trial be ordering two Irish Garda Conway Garda Number 254 and another Garda Numb34 D158 to forcibly remove Joseph Davis's first defence witness from the witness stand just as this defence witness had just started giving evidence.. to stop the truth from being told as to how and why Joseph Davis has been illegally AND WRONGFULLY CHARGED AND TRIED FOR CRIMINAL OFFENCERS JOSEPH DAVIS DI NOT COMMIT.... to make sure Joseph Davis does not have a fair trial..
- Irish Circuit Court Judge and former Irish Garda Martin Edward Nolan
- Irish Circuit Court Judge and former Irish Garda Martin Edward Nolan
- is accused in Court for being involved with a Conspiracy to Pervert the Course of Justice to make sure Joseph Davis does not obtain a fair trial , with his co-conspirators senior Irish Director of Public Prosecution Ross Murphy, Helena Kiely, Garda's from Black Rock Garda Station Garda Adam Healy, Garda Tony Galway and Garda Joseph Lonergan Garda Number 37161M and well known scaffolding company owner Thomas Corcoran who owns Black Horse Scaffolding.
One of the main DPP Prosecuting Solicitors Ross Murphy and their Prosecuting female barrister were asked in court today on the 7th July 2025, if they had anything to say before INL News published this article in the World Wide Web on hundreds of INL News Group's Sponsored websites, stating that an unopposed affidavit was filed in the Circuit Court accusing Judge Patricia Ryan the President of the Irish Circuit Court, Circuit Court Judge Martin Edward Nolan, senior Irish Director Prosecuting Solicitors Helena Kiely and Ross Murphy and their female DPP Barrister of conspiring to Pervert The Course of Justice in the case of the Director of Prosecutions v Joseph Davis being heard at a Dublin Circuit Court at a trial that started on the 7th July 2025 in Court 7 of the Dublin Circuit Court
They had nothing to say and do not object to this article being published publish accusing Circuit Court Judge Nolan, along with senior Irish Director Prosecuting Solicitors Helena Kiely and Ross Murphy and their DPP Barrister of conspiring to Pervert The Course of Justice in the case of the Director of Prosecutions v Joseph Davis being heard at a Dublin Circuit Court at a trial which started on the 7th July 2025 in Court 7, and has been adjourned to Court 15 on the 8th July, 2025
Judge gets claws out after defendant is allowed to bring ‘support cat’ to court
He said it appeared the Courts Service had sanctioned this under conditions, including that the cat should be kept on a leash
Sep 26, 2023 · Judge John Hughes raised the issue after seeing the cat - a "support animal" for an accused man - in the public gallery at Dublin District Court. The Courts Service has said it was a
Judge gets claws out after defendant is allowed to bring ‘support cat’ to court
He said it appeared the Courts Service had sanctioned this under conditions, including that the cat should be kept on a leash
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Law and Order
A JUDGE has voiced “concerns” after a defendant in a criminal case was allowed to bring a cat on a leash into a courtroom.
Judge John Hughes raised the issue after seeing the cat - a "support animal" for an accused man - in the public gallery at Dublin District Court.
The Courts Service has said it was a "once-off arrangement" at the Criminal Courts of Justice and apologised for failing to consult the judge.
The issue arose following a court sitting today, when Judge Hughes said there had been a defendant present earlier who had a cat on a leash and “that is a new departure in court.”
He said it appeared the Courts Service had sanctioned this under conditions, including that the cat should be kept on a leash and not brought to the building's canteen. “There was no consultation with the court in relation to this,” the judge said.
The court was “not blind or deaf as to the reason” why the defendant concerned had made the application, Judge Hughes said.
“There are wider issues at play over and above the requirements of (the defendant) in this matter”, he said. “I would have presumed the court would have been consulted.
“I was not consulted, I didn’t sanction it, I’m concerned at this development,” the judge said.
He added that “to extrapolate”, it could “turn into a bizarre situation indeed.”
He asked those present if anyone else had been consulted. A barrister, who was not involved in the case, said she did not believe legal practitioners had been.
“I intend to make further enquiries as to what safeguards are put in place, not only for (the defendant) but for the cat which appeared to be distressed and keen not to be present, and also other users of the courtroom," Judge Hughes said.
The Courts Service this afternoon confirmed that the cat had been allowed into the court.
“The Courts Service made a once off arrangement to allow a defendant bring a support cat to the CCJ today, if it was on a leash, and that the defendant leave after his case was heard,” a spokesperson said.
“This was only allowed as the CCJ is such a large building, and the time for the support animal's presence was short. Our internal communications around this arrangement did not reach the judge in the court, for which we apologise.”
Irish Circuit Court Judge Martin Edward Nolan
- Martin Edward Nolan[1] (born 12 June 1959) [2] is an Irish judge who has served as a Judge of the Circuit Court since May 2007. He sits as a judge presiding over the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Circuit Coirt Judge Martin Edward Nolan has attracted controversy for the perceived leniency of some of the sentences he has passed, particularly in the areas of Child Sexual Abuse Material or child sexual assault. An online petition to remove him from the bench attracted thousands of signatures.
-
Irish Circuit Court Judge Martin Edward Nolan's Early life
Nolan grew up in County Wexford, playing Gaelic football for Oylegate–Glenbrien GAA and the Wexford minor (under-18) team.
Nolan was a member of the Garda Síochána from 1979 to 1989, based in Rathfarnham and Tallaght.
Legal career
Nolan studied at the King's Inns and was called to the Bar in 1989. He worked in a mixed practice including criminal, civil and family law.
Judicial career
He was nominated to the Circuit Court in May 2007; having practised as a barrister until his Circuit Court appointment.[3]
Controversies
Judge Nolan has attracted controversy for the perceived leniency of some of the sentences he has passed, particularly in the areas of Child Sexual Abuse Material or child sexual assault. An online petition to remove him from the bench attracted thousands of signatures. Examples of supposedly lenient sentences include:
- Suspended sentence for a man who had 10000 images of child abuse images. [6]
- Suspended sentence for a man who was caught masturbating in front of four children.[7]
- Suspended sentence for a man who knocked down and killed a woman, crossing the road, and furthermore suspended sentencing the same man, who was in the area to sell drugs [8]
- Giving a teenager a suspended three-year sentence over his role in an incident where a woman was tied up, assaulted and scalded with boiling water. (The offender was not the one who actually poured the water)
- Giving a man a suspended sentence for possession of 100 child abuse images
- Giving another man a suspended sentence for possession of 7,000 images of child pornography
- Gave a man who sexually assaulted an 18-year-old a four-year suspended sentence on condition he pay €15,000 to his victim
- Giving short sentences of 2+1⁄2–3 years for conspiracy to defraud to two Anglo Irish Bank executives (Willie McAteer and John Bowe) and the former Irish Life & Permanent CEO Denis Casey
- Sentencing Garda Paul Moody to three years and three months for coercive control after he used his power as a Garda to harass a woman, and sent her thousands of threatening and abusive messages[9]
- Giving a suspended sentence to a man who punched and kicked his partner before standing on her neck and telling her he was going to kill her[10]
- Giving a suspended sentence to a taxi driver who deliberately drove into a cyclist[11]
- Giving a suspended sentence to a principal who stole €44,000 from his own school[12]
- Giving a suspended sentence to a woman who drove into the hard shoulder on the M50 motorway and collided with a motorcyclist, killing him[13]
- Giving a 20-month sentence to a man who burned a baby's face with a blowtorch[14]
- Giving a 3+1⁄2-year sentence to a man who stabbed three other men; the offender had previously been convicted of manslaughter[15]
He has also been criticised for some sentences viewed as excessive:
A 2023 Irish Times article by Mary Carolan discussed Nolan, saying that he passes about 40 sentences a week, out of which perhaps one or two of those is appealed by the offender and one, or fewer, by the Director of Public Prosecutions. However, she said that there is no centralised sentencing database in the Republic of Ireland that would allow for a proper analysis of sentences handed down by Judge Nolan.[4]
Personal life
Nolan's house has been burgled twice; on one occasion in 2015 he had to recuse himself from a case as the offender had previously been given a suspended sentence by Nolan.[16][17] He is married and has four children.[2]
- "Barrister appointed as circuit court judge". Irish Independent. 9 May 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d "Garda-turned-judge is used to controversy". Independent.ie. 19 October 2012.
- ^ Jump up to:a b "Judge a former garda noted for swift, informed decisions". The Irish Times.
- ^ Jump up to:a b "Too lenient or excessively punitive? Controversy over Judge Martin Nolan's sentencing". The Irish Times.
- ^ Hosford, Paul (16 November 2013). "Over 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for a judge to resign". TheJournal.ie.
- ^ "Man found with 10,000 images of child abuse material avoids jail term". rte.ie. 10 July 2024.
- ^ Hayes, Isabel (22 March 2024). "Man who masturbated in front of four children given suspended sentence". irishtimes.com.
- ^ Kelly, Shaun (12 March 2024). "Man whose driving caused death of French tourist avoids jail term for selling drugs on same day". TheJournal.ie.
- ^ "Paul Moody: His conviction has seriously damaged the reputation of An Garda Síochána". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Man who punched, kicked ex-partner in 'savage attack' gets suspended sentence". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Shocking video of Dublin taxi driver who deliberately drove into a cyclist and knocked him off his bike". Independent.ie. 21 October 2022.
- ^ "Principal stole over €44,000 from his school in 'appalling breach of trust'". Independent.ie. 11 October 2022.
- ^ "Woman who drove into hard shoulder before fatal collision with motorcyclist avoids jail". BreakingNews.ie. 7 November 2022.
- ^ "Man jailed for burning toddler's face with mini blowtorch". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Convicted killer jailed for stabbing three men outside Dublin pub". BreakingNews.ie. 10 October 2022.
- ^ Gallagher, Conor; McLean, Sonya (25 March 2015). "Judge says he can't rule on a case... because the suspect burgled his house". Irish Mirror.
- ^ Gallagher, Conor (21 May 2015). "Burglar ended up in court before a judge whose house he had burgled". TheJournal.ie.
Garda-turned-judge is used to controversy
Judge a former garda noted for swift, informed decisions
Judge Martin Nolan asked telling questions of witnesses that went to the heart of the case
Judge Martin Nolan, a former garda and barrister, was appointed to the Circuit Court bench on the nomination of a Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrat coalition in May 2007.
He joined An Garda Síochána in 1979 and remained a member of the force until 1989, when he went to Kings Inns to study for the Bar.
Originally from Wexford (he represented the county at minor level in Gaelic football), he had a mixed barrister's practice, mainly on the southeastern circuit, for more than 15 years. Judge Nolan, who is in his mid-50s, made headlines last year when he jailed a food importer for six years for not paying €1.6 million in garlic taxes.
Plain-speaking and to the point, Judge Nolan takes quick decisions, and rarely gives the impression that he relishes legal argument. He is personable and sharp on the facts of a case, and at several stages in the Anglo trial he asked telling questions of witnesses that ended up going to the heart of the case.
Judge Nolan showed no inclination to stretch out the trial; the jurors looked nonplussed when he asked if they’d like to come in to deliberate on a Saturday.
The judge’s occasional fencing with defence barrister Michael O’Higgins was a feature of the trial. Early on, O’Higgins sought to have Judge Nolan recuse himself from the case because the judge had, during a pretrial hearing, expressed an opinion on the issue of legal advice and O’Higgins felt this was prejudicial.
At one point in the latter stages of the trial, the judge interrupted O’Higgins, saying: “I find it hard to stop you making the same point over and over again.” O’Higgins told the judge he took exception to this. “I’m not interested in getting involved in a verbal argument, because there are very few winners in a verbal argument with you,” replied the judge.
O’Higgins said the judge was “making it personal”, adding: “This actually isn’t personal to me.
“Suspended sentence”: 5 shocking legal decisions this week
https://gript.ie/suspended-sentence-5-shocking-legal-decisions-this-week/
“Suspended sentence”: 5 shocking legal decisions this week
Much has been said about the state of law and order within Ireland, with seemingly absurd legal rulings being made time and time again in a country whose crime rate is soaring.
When analysing this problem, many people point to the extreme leniency of the judiciary as a leading cause.
For example, Gript’s John McGuirk has previously published pieces on Judge Martin Nolan, outlining how the adjudicator in question has, on numerous occasions, let people off with completely suspended sentences for the most outrageous sex crimes – sometimes including heinous crimes involving children.
If we want to talk about the sexual violence against women in Ireland, why is no other media outlet drawing attention to this?
Go through the sentences handed down by this judge, laid out here. Just read the ones in the image, if you lack time.https://t.co/HaqTIYxfqe
— John McGuirk (@john_mcguirk) January 15, 2022
Even when prison sentences are handed down by said judge, they appear to be extraordinarily lenient – for example, 20 months in prison for taking a blowtorch to a baby’s face.
Criticising Judges is not really the done thing in Ireland, but when a Judge thinks that improperly importing garlic merits a sentence three times more severe than attacking a toddler with a blowtorch, it's time to wonder whether he is in the wrong job.https://t.co/UugblBXtTF
— John McGuirk (@john_mcguirk) May 19, 2021
Some claim that this is not a pattern, however, and that the examples in question are simply cherry picked. So today, let’s take a look at some cases from just the past week alone, shall we?
1) damages woman’s teeth and stands on her neck in “savage” assault – avoids jail
On Wednesday the 12th of October, just this week, we heard of how 41-year-old Andrew Brennan pled guilty to assaulting his ex-partner and threatening to kill her in May of 2021.
Andrew Brennan (41), who punched and kicked his ex-partner in a “savage” attack before standing on her neck and telling her he was going to kill her has received a fully suspended prison sentence. pic.twitter.com/HcHtQRd2CX
— Courts News Ireland (@courtsnewsIRL) October 12, 2022
Following a drink and drug-fuelled binge, Brennan left the woman with two black eyes and damaged her teeth in the course of the assault. He kicked and punched her, leaving her significantly bruised, and even stood on her neck for around a minute while saying “I’m going to f*cking kill you.”
The court heard that the woman still suffers from nightmares and flashbacks to this day.
While Judge Martin Nolan said the attack was “savage” and disgraceful, he said that based on the background of the case “it would be unjust to imprison him.” As a result, Brenan received a fully-suspended sentence and will not spend a day behind bars.
2) Taxi driver who deliberately hit a cyclist avoids jail
On Tuesday the 11th of October – again, just this week – we heard of how taxi driver Dermott Reynolds, who had two minor convictions for road traffic offences, deliberately veered his car into a cyclist, knocking him off his bike.
Taxi driver who deliberately drove into a cyclist avoids jail and gets a suspended 18 month sentence https://t.co/n2sCSC7e28
— Irish Independent (@Independent_ie) October 12, 2022
Reportedly, after a verbal dispute between the two, Reynolds drove the taxi directly into the cyclist’s path twice, causing the victim to fall to the ground the second time.
Judge Martin Nolan said that it was “reprehensible to endanger someone in this way” – but based on mitigating factors, he decided to hand down an 18-month suspended sentence, allowing the taxi driver to avoid jail.
3) Man steals over €44,000 from work – given no jail time
On Tuesday the 11th of October, the same day as the last judgement, Judge Martin Noland gave an entirely suspended three-year sentence to an Educate Together principal who stole over €44,000 from his school over a three-year period.
Principal stole over €44,000 from his school in ‘appalling breach of trust’ https://t.co/KUIwFZZKBs
— Irish Independent (@Independent_ie) October 11, 2022
Principal Marcus Wynn reportedly forged invoices to account for the missing money, claiming that it was going to ChildVision, the national education centre for blind children, where the school was kept for two years. Meanwhile the rent was being paid by the Department of Education.
He pled guilty to nine counts of theft and eight counts of producing a false instrument.
Judge Martin Nolan said that the incident was “appalling” and that Wynn should be “properly ashamed” of himself.
However, based on mitigating factors, the judge opted to give the man no jail time, saying that while the amount stolen was “serious,” it was “not at the extreme end.”
4) Convicted killer with 22 previous convictions stabs 3 people – given only 3 and a half years
Earlier this week we heard of a man who was given just three and a half years in prison for stabbing three people.
Convicted killer jailed for stabbing three men outside Dublin pub https://t.co/0zgp2L5Cer
— breakingnews.ie (@breakingnewsie) October 10, 2022
A 32-year-old man had previously been convicted of manslaughter at Birmingham Crown Court in 2017 after he killed a man in a one-punch assault. He also has 22 previously convictions for other less serious offences.
However, seven years ago he got into an argument outside a pub, whereupon three men approached him to attempt to break up the row. At that point, the accused reportedly stabbed all three. He then fled to England and failed to appear in court for the hearing regarding the attacks. He had to be returned to Ireland on a European Arrest Warrant in 2020 to stand trial.
According to Detective Garda Alan Roche, one of the victims suffered tended damage to his arm, and it still does not have full function 7 years after the attack. He also has a large scar on the back of his head. The other two men were hospitalised at the time but have since recovered from their wounds.
Judge Nolan gave the man three-and-a-half years for the most serious assault, and two concurrent sentences of two years for the others, backdating them to July 2020 when the man first went into custody.
This amounts to only around 1 year and 2 months in prison for each man stabbed.
5) Father and daughters film attack and post it to social media – receive no jail time
On Monday this week, a man and his daughters have been given a suspended sentence after the man filmed the girls attacking two women and shared it to social media.
55-year-old Michael Lawrence filmed his 28-year-old daughter Jessica Maughan attacking her own 65-year-old mother-in-law while the older woman was leaving a doctor’s appointment.
A man and his two daughters have been given suspended sentences after a video recording of the sisters beating two women was shared on social media. https://t.co/GovOzXjER5
— breakingnews.ie (@breakingnewsie) October 10, 2022
He also recorded his 31-year-old daughter attacking the woman’s daughter, while the daughter was in the car waiting to pick up her mother.
The attack was posted to YouTube and received 3,500 views, which the woman said they still suffered from psychologically due to the humiliation.
Judge Martin Nolan said that the assault was “disgraceful” and “vicious.” However, he gave both the father and the two daughters a two-year suspended sentence each, allowing them to walk free without jail time.
It’s hard to claim that these are examples of “cherry picking” when they are all from just the last week alone – it seems more likely that this is simply a trend within the Irish judiciary, where almost any crime, no matter how outrageous, is met with the lightest slap on the wrist possible.
What kind of a deterrent are sentences like these supposed to represent to potential law-breakers? And why should any criminal fear the Irish justice system when they see headlines like these every day?
Too lenient or excessively punitive? Controversy over Judge Martin Nolan’s sentencing
Former Garda has been accused by some of being too lenient to some offenders and excessively punitive to others
“People tend to imagine sentencing is more lenient than it actually is.” That finding, based on international research concerning public perception of sentences, is set out in a report commissioned by judges here who are drafting sentencing guidelines.
Judge Martin Edward Nolan might agree. The Circuit Court judge is no stranger to controversy over some of his sentencing decisions, with some accusing him of being too lenient to some offenders and excessively punitive to others.
A social media storm recently erupted after he gave a teenager a suspended three-year sentence over his role in an incident where a woman was tied up, assaulted and scalded with boiling water, which was poured over her hands and arms by another man, whom the judge labelled the “prime mover” in the assault, and whom he jailed for four years and three months.
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