Gardaí catch Martin 'The Viper' Foley and pals removing sign from asylum-seeker centre
Martin 'The Viper' Foley and two senior criminal associates have been detected by gardaí removing a sign outside a Dublin accommodation centre earmarked for asylum seekers.
The veteran criminal (74) was recently detected outside a location on the Belgard Road in Tallaght, which is to be turned into an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre for immigrants.
The Sunday World understands that Foley, and another man who in his 50s and from West Dublin, were wearing 'Viper Debt Recovery' T-shirts, which is the name of the debt-collection agency founded by Foley several years ago. The man with Foley is suspected by Gardaí of having ties to organised criminals.
Paul Rice
The third man present at the Belgard Road address was notorious gangland figure Paul Rice (56), also from Tallaght. Rice has acted as an enforcer and debt collector for the Kinahan Cartel. He is no stranger to violence and was jailed for 10 years in 1995 after pleading guilty to the robbery of a bank in which shots were fired.
When confronted by gardaí outside the centre, the three men were taking down a sign from the front gate. The trio told officers that they were removing a 'Beware of Dogs' sign belonging to them. Rice then proceeded to inform gardaí that a friend of his had the 'security contract' on the building while he supplied the guard dogs.
When informed by gardaí that the site was due to become an IPAS centre, they left, saying they 'didn't want to be associated' with the asylum-seeker centre.
It is understood that Rice and the other Tallaght man present became very vocal to gardaí about their 'anti-immigration' views. Foley kept 'relatively quiet' in comparison and was easier to deal with during the interaction with officers, it is understood.
The trio then left the scene in a rented car, driven by Rice. They are not under investigation for any criminality linked to this interaction with gardaí.
Martin Foley was with Paul Rice
News in 90 Seconds - Monday June 23
Gardaí are aware of some anti- immigration sentiment circulating about the proposed new immigration centre for asylum-seekers and potential protests planned.
This is not the first time that well-known criminals have been spotted in the vicinity of an IPAS centre or expressing anti-immigration views.
In February 2023, gangland criminal Wayne Bradley called for 'weapons' to be left at home as he joined an anti-migrant protest that took place in Finglas.
Bradley, who was a close associate of slain gang boss Eamon 'The Don' Dunne, posted a series of messages on his Facebook account ahead of the demonstration.
He warned those attending a planned protest in his native Finglas not to bring weapons as it 'will ruin what we started'.
Also in 2023, English far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson was photographed posing with a convicted heroin dealer and brother of gang boss Derek 'Dee Dee' O'Driscoll.
Robinson posed with Anthony 'Harpo' O'Driscoll, of Croftwood Park in Ballyfermot, Dublin, who has criminal convictions including for heroin dealing.
In March of this year, a court heard that the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) would be selling Martin 'The Viper' Foley's home in 18 months' time unless he comes up with almost €1 million to pay off outstanding tax debts.
Judge Fiona O'Sullivan refused an application to allow the family remain in the house for another eight years until his daughter turns 18.
Neither Foley nor his wife were Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the judgment on March 10.
Cab assessed Foley as owing €916,960.12 in unpaid taxes from 1993 to 2000, a figure which has since increased due to interest and penalties.
The case has been going on for more than ten years.
The veteran criminal has survived multiple gangland shootings and at one stage even applied to join the Garda Reserves.
Foley has more than 40 convictions, including for assault, robbery and possession of weapons. He was part of the criminal gang led by Martin Cahill, who was known as 'The General'.
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Sunday World
3 hours ago
- Sunday World
Married man (54) harassed woman for ten years and filmed her while she was showering
Francis Cullen (54) filmed the woman on his phone through bathroom window while she was showering in her home A 54-year-old man who subjected a woman to ten years of harassment, leaving her in 'constant fear' of what he would do next, was jailed for four years by Judge John Aylmer at Carrick-on-Shannon Circuit Court on Monday. Married father of three, Francis Cullen, formerly of Cloonaquinn, Manorhamilton, and now living at Barran, Blacklion, Co. Cavan pleaded guilty to two counts of harassing the woman between November 11 2015 and January 24 2024. A further count of intimidation was to be taken into consideration. Among the incidents Cullen committed was filming the woman while she was showering in her home on his mobile phone as he was masturbating. Three videos were later discovered by investigating gardaí on his phone, all taken of the woman naked in her bathroom while he was outside masturbating. Another one of the incidents was Cullen exposing himself through a gap in a hedge he created by removing a tree and could be seen by the woman in her kitchen. The victim frequently saw Cullen standing at the gable of her house either partially or fully naked while she was in her home. Francis Cullen at court in Carrick-on-Shannon. Pic: Carl Brennan. News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, July 30 Gardaí also discovered photographs of every room in the victim's home on Cullen's phone. He also turned up outside her place of work in Sligo and she also saw him while dropping off her young daughter to school. In her Victim Impact Statement, which she read to the court, she said it was a 'terrifying ordeal' for her family and she does not think she will ever recover from the terror and dread Cullen has caused her. She said she had no idea why she was singled out by this 'evil, perverse attacker', which she said it made it harder for her and her husband to understand. Mr Edward Sweetman BL with Ms Niamh McGovern State Solicitor were prosecuting, while Mr Colm Smyth SC, with Mr Eoin McGovern, instructed by McGovern Walsh Solicitors appeared for Cullen. Mr Sweetman told the court that there were two Books of Evidence, one related to harassment on dates ranging from November 1 2015 and May 5 2023, while the other harassment count ranged from September 19 2023 and January 2 2024. There were pleas to the harassment counts on a full facts basis. The intimidation charge was to be taken into consideration. The court heard that Cullen also committed some of the offences while on bail. Sergeant Enda Browne of Manorhamilton Garda Station outlined the evidence, led by Mr Sweetman. The sergeant said that the first statement from the victim was taken in March 2023. He said Detective Garda Mark Benson had detailed a catalogue of the incidents the woman suffered at the hands of Cullen during the period of ten years. The court was told Cullen lived in Cloonaquinn in a rural area of Co Leitrim and the victim lived nearby with her family. Cullen and his family moved to the area two years after the complainant and her partner. The court heard one of the incidents of exposure occurred when there was a gap in the hedge where a tree was removed and the victim's kitchen window could be seen from the gap. Sgt Browne said the initial incident was in December 2014 when the victim was showering in her bathroom and she thought there was a person looking in the window. She went to look and saw a man crouching down who then ran off. Her partner went to investigate and he believed it was Cullen, although he was not identified at that time. In the winter of 2015, the woman was driving into her driveway when she saw Cullen standing in the rain in the garden with his trousers down and his penis exposed. He was standing in the direction of her car which had its lights on. He was waving his hand over his head. The woman discussed the incident with her partner. The court heard that from 2015 to 2021, there was a memo of a number of incidents kept. She frequently saw the defendant standing at the gable of her house either partially naked or fully naked. This happened three to four times a year. Sgt Browne said that the woman didn't wish at the time to make a formal complaint to gardaí because of the detrimental impact it might have on Cullen's young family. They decided to live their lives as best they could. The couple believed the accused was monitoring their movements and all the incidents were planned, the court heard. The woman restricted her movements and locked her doors to their property and did not allow her child to play outside the home. The court heard the restrictions had a huge impact on the family's enjoyment of their property. In the summer of 2021, her partner was attending to the garden and Cullen had cut down a tree to make a gap. He was observed standing in the gap with his trousers down. The accused didn't realise the woman was present with her partner and he believed she was on her own. Sergeant Browne outlined to the court that in January 2023, her teenage daughter received a birthday card that was hand delivered. Written on it was 'from the neighbours and Millie', which was the Cullen family dog. The family photographed the card and put it in the fire. The court was told they found this 'extremely disturbing and sinister'. Sgt Browne went on to describe how in February 14 2023, a Valentine's card, flowers and chocolates were there when the woman came home. There was a message on the card that said 'can we ever be friends again and are you going to the big wedding on Friday, maybe see you there'. The accused's phone number was included on the card. The woman's husband returned all the items to the Cullen house and contacted gardaí. The flowers were recovered by gardaí during a search of the Cullen house. Sergeant Browne said that in another incident on February 15 2023, the woman was taking a shower at 6:30am. She observed a mobile phone with its light on pressed against the outside of her bathroom window. This terrified her and she immediately contacted gardaí. Gardaí went to the home of Cullen and they found him 'out of breath' when speaking with them. He denied all knowledge of the incident . On February 28 2023, the woman and her daughter were leaving in their car and there was a sign at the front wall of the Cullen house that said 'I love you' and the victim's name. The box of chocolates, bunch of flowers that the woman's husband had returned were at the door. On March 3 2023, gardaí carried out a search of the Cullen resident. The bunch of flowers and a number of other items were found, including a laptop belonging to Cullen. He was arrested and brought to Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station and his phone was seized. He was interviewed by gardaí and made a number of admissions. He admitted sending the card, flowers and chocolates to the woman and her daughter. He admitted erecting the sign declaring his love in the garden. He admitted entering her home and taking photographs of the interior rooms of the home. Cullen told gardaí he 'wanted to see the cards on display' that he had sent the woman. He admitted that in December 2014 he entered the property during the night and was almost caught by the woman's partner outside the bathroom window where he was on the ground and he had to run. He admitted to gardaí that his family were aware of his behaviour and aware that he was constantly looking at the victim's family's 'comings and goings'. He said his family were 'aware it might become a problem'. He made admissions of taking photographs of the victim's house when it was unoccupied. Mr Sweetman asked Sergeant Browne what explanation did Cullen have. Cullen denied he was in love with the woman. He said he was in the interior of the home to see the items 'on display in the house'. He denied exposing himself. He was charged with trespass and was ordered not to have any contact of any kind with the complainant. In March 2023, he was released on district court bail with condition to have no contact with the victim. On April 7 2023, the victim reported a man wearing a balaclava was standing outside the gable of his house looking towards her house and was walking around. When asked what impact this had on the woman, Sgt Browne said it caused her to be in fear and she believed it was an attempt to intimidate her. On May 28 2023, at 11:30am, the woman was driving to her house with her young daughter and they could see the bare backside of Cullen 'mooning' them from the sitting room of his house. Gardaí called and spoke to him and he denied it. Cullen went on to say that the woman was 'making accusations' because she was a 'woman scorned' and ever since he sent the birthday card to the victim's daughter, she was 'angry with him'. Cullen said that now that her daughter was the 'focus' of his attention and 'not her' that she was angry. He said he had no romantic intentions with the daughter. Sgt Browne told the court that on March 3 2023, a mobile phone belonging to Cullen was seized and examined by gardaí. They discovered three videos of the victim in her bathroom naked. On January 28 2023 at 6:53am, there was a video three minutes long that showed the victim naked in her bathroom and it was evident Cullen was recording her on his phone by placing his phone in the open bathroom window. There was 'heavy breathing' and the sound of a zipper closing or opening which could be heard on the audio recording. The second video as taken on February 7 2023 at 6:51am. It lasted six minutes and 45 seconds and the woman was naked in her bathroom and had just finished using the shower. It was evident Cullen had recorded her by placing his phone in the open bathroom window. Sounds of 'heavy breathing' could be heard and it was suspected Cullen was masturbating while recording the woman. The third video was taken on February 15 2023 at 6:40am and lasted five minutes. The victim was in her bathroom naked and it was evident from the video the woman had discovered the mobile phone and approached to investigate. When she approaches, the screen goes dark and there was a person heard running in the audio which corresponded to responding gardaí who stated that Cullen was out of breath which was consistent with someone running. Cullen was invited to Sligo Garda Station in June 2023 to view the vidoes. He attended at the station but left abruptly three minutes later without viewing any of the material. Sgt Browne told the court that photographs of every room in the victim's house were also on his phone. On June 2 2023, Cullen was arrested and further charged and was refused bail at Ballyshannon District Court following garda objections. He was subsequently given High Court bail in June 2023 to reside outside Co Leitrim and abide by a curfew. Sgt Browne said while on High Court bail, Cullen 'continued his campaign of harassment'. The woman reported to gardaí on September 19 that while driving to work in Sligo, Cullen was driving behind her for twenty minutes. This caused her to be in fear. On September 22 at 4:30pm the woman met the accused driving towards her and when she saw him, he waved at her. This caused her great distress. The next incident on October 4 2023 at 2:35pm, she was driving to the Newtownmanor area and met the accused who waved at her again causing her distress. On October 17 2023, while the victim was dropping her daughter to school she met the accused driving his van near the school. He was further charged with harassment. On October 18 2023, the woman was driving from Sligo to Manorhamilton and met Cullen who waved at her. She felt the accused was trying to intimidate her by effectively trying to communicate with her. Judge Alymer asked the sergeant if the accused was in Co Leitrim and the sergeant replied that he was allowed to transit through to sign on at Sligo Garda Station. On October 26, the victim made a statement that she observed Cullen outside her workplace in Sligo at 9am, around the time she was due to arrive at the office to attend work. She had to pass him on a narrow footpath and this caused her to be in fear. The court was told that Cullen worked in a factory in Manorhamilton. On October 27 2023, the victim observed Cullen outside her workplace at 9am and she photographed him and he was arrested by gardaí for breach of bail. The judge subsequently amended his bail conditions barring him entering Sligo until 9pm. Sgt Browne said the victim had attended court that day and gave evidence. On January 18 2024, the woman made a statement to Detective Garda Mark Benson that Cullen had viewed her profile on Linkedin on the 11th, 16th, 17th and 18th of January. When her Linkedin profile is viewed, she explained that she received a notification. She said she believed Cullen was viewing her profile knowing she would receive a notification and she believed it was an attempt to communicate with her and cause her distress. Sgt Browne said Cullen was identifiable by his name and he was clearly identifiable. The sergeant also outlined that on January 18 2024, she suspected there were a number of calls to her office that were 'hang up calls' but there was no evidence of these. Cullen was arrested again on January 22 2024 and a gardaí obtained a search warrant for his mobile phone which was later examined. Numerous images of the victim's home and the interior of the house were found and three images of the woman which gardaí believe came from her Linkedin profile. On February 27 2024, Cullen was arrested by Dt Gda Benson and interviewed. He made a number of admissions. He admitted he was outside with his phone recording while the woman was in the bathroom and that he was masturbating. He said he had 'frequent urges' to see the complainant. He told gardaí he believed 'she liked him'. He stated he loved her and admitted he knew where she worked and admitted he met her near her work outside on the street. He admitted the recordings were for his own 'sexual gratification'. Cullen admitted waving at her as she drove to Sligo and he hoped to meet her on the road. He told gardaí that when she photographed him outside her work 'she nailed me with the camera out'. The court heard that in March 2023, Cullen was on bail and from that time, there were a number of further allegations and subsequent incidents. Cullen had no previous convictions and Sgt Browne said he would not have previously come to garda attention. He worked in a factory in Manorhamilton and was also a farmer and was married with three children. The sergeant said the last incident was January 20 2024. The woman then read out her Victim Impact Statement. She said that trying to write down the words was terrifying for the ordeal she endured for the last decade and reading it in public was extremely difficult. She said that knowing the individual responsible for her fears would be watching and listening filled her with terror and dread and she prayed she would hold her nerve to describe some of the evil endured by her and her family over the past ten years. She said she thought that when writing about it might add to her ordeal but the deciding factor was that if she had not, she would regret it in the future if she did not document the 'terror and evil' the individual instilled on both her and her family and she said she cannot see a way to recover. She said she tries to make some sense of why she was targeted and attacked, saying she had no idea why she was singled out by this 'evil and perverse attacker'. She said that made it harder for them to understand. She outlined how twenty years ago they had bought their family home. They worked hard on their 'dream family home' and the area was rural and quiet and even though both she and her partner worked in Sligo, they loved the location and their first ten years in the home were very happy and described their home as a 'sanctuary'. The greatest joy was the birth of their daughter in 2010. But that all changed drastically with a frightening variety of attacks which all started with an early-morning invasion in December 2014 which was followed by an escalation of attacks endured over ten years. The woman said she was in 'constant fear' of what would happen next and their family life was 'destroyed'. They were living in a state of constant fear and her confidence and peace of mind was shattered. She described it as 'exhausting' the targetted attacks. She said it was a destruction of her life and described how Cullen had exposed himself first to herself and then her young daughter. She had to check that her doors were locked and going outside was no longer safe because of the evil he was capable of. The woman said her home became a prison. She said it was frightening the nature of the attacks. She said they had to limit the activity with their daughter to safeguard her and having her friends over had to be something that was planned 'over and over'. They were in constant fear for their daughter when away from home and constantly worrying about what Cullen might do. They often discussed trying to get another mortgage to relocate but said the biggest thing was could they sell and facilitate any potential buyers knowing the potential of Cullen. She said they were trapped in their home. They discussed for years about speaking to gardaí. She said in January 2023, she said that changed when Cullen tried to destroy her daughter's first teenage birthday. She said she was then in fear for both her life and her daughter's. She said when they got the gardaí involved, she thought it would bring it to an end, but the incidents moved from her home to her daughter's school and her place of work. She described 'every walking minute' as being filled with fear. She said the attacks on her and her daughter had no let up and instead the attacks were increasing and had escalated to a point where she had problems sleeping. She said the attacks affected their given right to feel safe. She said the attacks had stolen time with her daughter's childhood that can't be recovered because of Cullen's continual harassment. She said she was petrified every day to step outside. She said one of the vilest acts was Cullen videoing her in her bathroom. She said that not only had he violated her life, he cowardly targetted a mother of a young daughter. She said it had an emotional, psychological and physical impact on her. She said that the first night in 2014, Cullen hid outside under her daughter's bedroom watching them at night and it shattered her sense of security. She lost the ability to enjoy her garden or walks, thinking Cullen would be nearby waiting to expose himself. She said the intimidation had an impact on her mental health and she was always on edge. She said she used to be outgoing and her daughter did not know what playing outside was like as they had to keep her safe. She said her daughter gets anxious whenever she sees a silver van and it fills her with fear. The woman said they had to prevent their daughter from having any social media like her friends which was so wrong as she could not enjoy life because of this 'vile individual'. She said her peace of mind had been replaced by hypervigilence, dreaded fear and constantly looking over her shoulder. They had to invest in security cameras and said their house which was once their haven was now a prison. She said there was a 'false narrative' in their area trying to make it look like they must have done something to cause it and the woman said that hopefully the few people that used to give a friendly wave when passing but had now stopped now know the truth and all the family had been through the past ten years. The woman said she wanted to acknowledge the tremendous support of the gardaí and family. She thanked each of the investigating gardaí for their kindness, support and dedication. She said her greatest fear was the escalation in Cullen's behaviour and she genuinely believed the next escalation was physical harm to both herself and her daughter. Mr Eoin McGovern BL handed in a number of reports to Judge Alymer, including a psychiatrist report. Cullen then read out a prepared letter of apology. He said he was deeply apologetic and deeply sorry for the actions and upset he caused which had significant impact on the family. He said he takes full responsibility and never intended to cause them harm and upset. He said it was motivated by his alcohol addiction and he should have taken advice sooner to sort that. He said he was mortified for the disgrace and shame he brought his family and was deeply ashamed and embarrassed. He said he is attending counselling and psychological therapy. He said it would never happen again and he acknowledged the great deal of upset adding that he was truly sorry. Mr McGovern said Cullen was engaging with a consultant psychiatrist who discovered he had what was known as 'erotomania'. He was undergoing addiction counselling. Cullen's wife, Mary told the court she knew her husband for thirty years and they were married 26 years and they had three children. She told Judge Alymer that his alcohol addiction had been going on for many years and had never been addressed and she believed this was the main factor. She described him as hardworking, a good provider for the family and came from a respectable family and was very involved in their children's lives. She said she had no idea how they would cope if he was absent from their lives. She said he was committed to dealing with his issues and if sent to prison the progress could be lost. Mr McGovern said it was utterly inexcusable what his client had done. He entered early pleas and made full admissions. Judge Alymer said that Cullen came before the court having pleaded guilty to harassment. He said the aggravating factor was the harassment was very sexual in nature. The woman was extremely intimidated by the frightening nature of his behaviour which was persistent since 2015. It had a very severe impact on the woman and her family and also their safety and security. He said the headline sentence on each count was seven years and the second offence happened when he was on bail and he had to impose a consecutive sentence because of that. He said Cullen had no previous convictions and was a hardworking man and had not come to attention since January 20 2024. He said he heard his letter of apology and he seemed remorseful. He said the psychologist's report appears to show poor mental health. He said erotomania seemed to be a mental illness with delusion obsession and it appeared the condition had a psychotic nature but that was not in the report. Judge Alymer said that unfortunately in the report, it suggested Cullen displayed little insight into the affect on his victim and little victim empathy. The report said he was lacking understanding as to why it was being persued through the courts. He said he seemed to be engaging in his rehabilitation and was not drinking. He said he accepted how difficult a prison sentence will be on his family. He said that on the first count, he was imposing a sentence of six years in prison which he reduced to four years taking into account mitigating factors of full admission, co-operation and an early plea of guilty. On the second count, which he said was also at the upper end, he said he was taking into account he was on bail which was aggravating. He sentenced him to two and a half years consecutive, suspended for a period of two and a half years on condition he enter a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two and a half years after his release. Further conditions the judge applied were that Cullen abstain completely from alcohol and be under the supervision of the Probation Service for two years and comply with all of their directions. He must also attend AA and counselling for erotomania and attend mental health services. He must inform the Probation Service of any change of address. Cullen must also have no contact with the victim, her partner or their daughter and not to come within one kilometre of their residence, place of work of education. He warned Cullen that any breach would see the matter being re-entered and he would serve the extra two and a half years. He ordered no contact with the victim , her partner or her daughter and to not come within one kilometre subsequently on his release from prison indefinitely. He said a breach of the order was a criminal offence.
Sunday World
9 hours ago
- Sunday World
Two brothers fire-bombed home in family feud over engagement ring, court hears
The niece of Peter Molloy (23) and Martin Molloy (25) was present at the time of the incident. Two Ennis brothers carried out a firebomb attack on a home where their 22 month old niece was present at the time arising from a family row sparked by an engagement ring, a court has heard. At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford has jailed Peter Molloy (23) and Martin Molloy (25) for 20 months for the 'completely outrageous' petrol bomb attack on the home of the Quinn family on Ennis's Watery Rd in November 2023. The court heard that the Quinn and Molloy families at the time were in dispute over an engagement ring. Seven months after the petrol bomb attack, Peter Molloy suffered an 'unspeakable tragedy' through the loss of his infant son, Hunter in May 2024 when he was struck by a vehicle near his home on the Quin Rd in Ennis. On the events of November 2023, Judge Comerford said that this was 'a planned petrol bomb attack on a house'. Peter Molloy and Martin Molloy. News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, July 30 He said that he was 'deeply conscious of all of the tragedy that has touched the Molloy family'. 'Peter Molloy lost his 18 month old son last year but a 22 month old daughter of his deceased brother was present in the house at the time.' 'It is a deeply, deeply serious crime.' No one was injured in the petrol bomb attack which took place at 8.30pm on the night where the fire was quickly put out and the damage caused totalled €3,000. Both Peter Molloy and Martin Molloy of Ballaghboy halting site pleaded guilty to the criminal damage of windows and the front door belonging to Margaret Quinn at Ennis's Watery Rd on November 18th 2023. Judge Comerford imposed a 45 month prison sentence on both and suspended the final 25 months in each case. He said that it was impossible not to impose an immediate custodial sentence to make sure that 'blatant attacks of this nature involving petrol bombing of occupied residential homes don't occur'. Counsel for Martin Molloy, Aaron Desmond BL (instructed by Shiofra Hassett) said that a brother of the two Molloys, Jim died and had been in a relationship with a member of the Quinn family. He said: 'There was an argument about an engagement ring between the two families and the engagement ring had significant sentimental value for both families. 'This unfortunate and tragic circumstance was the root of the animosity between the two families.' Mr Desmond said that his client has never served a custodial sentence before. Counsel for Peter Molloy, Pat Whyms BL (instructed by Daragh Hassett) said that families have resolved their difficulties and 'and there are members from both families seated together in the back of the courtroom'. Mr Whyms said that his client had engaged in a 'ludicrous escapade' on November 18th 2023. He said that 'the families were fighting over an engagement ring' and what occurred on the night 'was totally out of proportion'. Mr Whyms said that Peter Molloy was 'in a heightened state on the night and what happened was not pre-planned. They had talked themselves up into a state'. He said that everything must be seen through the prism of 'the speakable tragedy' suffered by the Molloy family with the loss of their 18 month boy in May 2024. He stated that the tragic event of May 2024 put something like the row over the engagement ring in context. Mr Whyms said that Mr Molloy's attitude to life has changed over what is important and what is not important. He said the Molloys have three children and are expecting another baby next month. Mr Whyms said that his client is very remorseful for his actions and has engaged well with the Probation Service.
Sunday World
9 hours ago
- Sunday World
Teenager jailed after striking another youth five times in the head with a hammer
A group of youths had gathered in a public park for a 'one-on-one' between the two. A teenager who beat the back of the head of another teenager with a claw hammer after a group of youths had gathered in a public park for a 'one-on-one' has been jailed for a year. Witnesses saw the then 16-year-old strike the victim approximately five times on his head, as the victim was sitting on another youth he had been wrestling with. It was estimated that about 30 youths had gathered for what appeared to be an arranged fight, with people hearing the group saying it is a 'one-on-one' any time a third person tried to get involved with the two that had been scuffling. Garda Stephen Allen told George Burns BL, prosecuting, that after the teenager was dragged off the victim by the other youths and the whole group fled the area leaving the victim seriously injured with open wounds to the back of his head. When gardaí arrived at the scene, having received an emergency call from witnesses to the assault, the victim was conscious and alert but in a very distressed state. His mother was contacted and he was taken to Beaumont Hospital for treatment. A Hammer. News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, July 30 The victim was found to have two depressed skull fractures but there was no haemorrhaging in his brain or any other injuries to his brain. He was also found to have further skull fractures, with five open wounds that required up to 30 stitches to close them. Dean Kelly SC, defending, acknowledged that this was a case 'of profoundly anti-social and violent behaviour' and that the serious violence used by his client could have led to a fatality. The now 21-year-old man, who cannot be named because he was a juvenile at the time of the offence and the time he was charged, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at a local park on May 19, 2020. He has previous convictions for road traffic offences including dangerous driving. A victim impact statement, prepared by the victim's mother, was handed into court but not read out. In sentencing the man today Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin addressed the victim's mother who was watching the court proceedings via video link, having imposed a term of two years with the final year suspended. 'I acknowledged that this seems like a small price to be paid,' she said before she said that she realises that the woman's son will be suffering a long time after his attacker has been released from prison. She stressed that the courts do not operate on 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth' adding that punishment is not the only thing that the courts must take into account. She said she also must consider 'reform, rehabilitation and re-integration into society'. 'I recognise that your son's life has been altered but I have to give him a chance to reform,' Judge Ní Chúlacháin said. She said she really hopes that the victim does not develop the future potential medical consequences he could as a result of the injuries he sustained. Addressing the accused man, she acknowledged that he had recently lost his brother and sympathised with him, saying 'He was your big brother and you loved him'. She further acknowledged that the man has since addressed many issues and although he still uses cannabis on a daily basis, he is engaging very well with a local community group. 'But this was a planned fight to which you brought a claw hammer,' the judge said adding that it was 'calculated and deliberate' and that he had struck the victim repeatedly. 'That is not a reasonable response to a perceived threat.' Judge Ní Chúlacháin said, acknowledging that the man believed that the victim posed a threat to his own friend that afternoon. She also referred to the fact that the then teenager left the scene after the attack. 'You came armed, there were repeated blows and you left the scene,' the judge continued. Judge Ní Chúlacháin also acknowledged from the victim impact statement the consequences for the victim. She noted that as result of the injuries sustained and as a further precaution, he has been advised to no longer participate in contact sports. The judge noted that the victim impact statement, prepared by the victim's mother. stated that her son's 'confident and carefree' life has been 'defeated' and he now suffers with low self-worth and low self-esteem. She said the victim impact statement said the then teenager was 'always at his happiest on the pitch' and that his childhood dreams of potentially playing rugby for Leinster or even Ireland 'have been stolen from him'. Judge Ní Chúlacháin noted that the victim has even been advised that his car insurance could be impacted in the future and he has been advised not to go on long haul flights. She set a headline sentence of three years and four months before she took a number of mitigating factors into account including the plea of guilty, the accused's continued support from his family and his difficult childhood. Judge Ní Chúlacháin also accepted that the man has shown potential for rehabilitation and has accepted full responsibility for his actions, acknowledging the impact his actions not only had on the victim, his family and friends but also the people who witnessed the attack in the park that day. She said she must impose a custodial term before she suspended the final 12 months of the two-year sentence. She warned the man that if he comes to the attention of the gardaí during the suspended term she would not hesitate in reactivating the term and he would be going straight back to jail.
