Limerick man armed with sweeping brush handle threatens to kill three children

A WOMAN was set upon by four people including a sister and brother — the brother who was armed with a sweeping brush handle told her: “You’ve already lost one child. I’m going to kill the other three.”

The incident occurred in Limerick city but those involved are members of “rival families” from Castleconnell, Limerick Criminal Circuit Court heard.

Andrew Devereux, aged, 28, of Hyde Road, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick city and his sister Roisin Devereux, aged 26, of Greenmount Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick city both pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Dean Landers.

The court heard Mr Devereux had a “run in” earlier on the day with the victim and he and three others went driving around looking for the woman. The victim is aged in her early 30s.

Mr O’Sullivan said gardai in Roxboro received a report of a female in a distressed state on Parnell Street in the city at 5.45pm on October 12, 2021.

“There was a visible sign of injuries. She was assaulted by four people. CCTV shows the victim walking on Parnell Street. An Opel Corsa stops, a number of people get out and run through traffic towards the victim. He (Mr Devereux) had a brush handle which he hit the victim with.

“Ms Devereux blocked traffic and made aggressive gestures towards her (victim),” said Mr O’Sullivan.
The prosecuting barrister said Mr Devereux told the victim: “You’ve already lost one child. I’m going to kill the other three.”

Mr O’Sullivan said the injured party’s family and the Devereuxs are from Castleconnell. “They resided in close proximity,” said Mr O’Sullivan, who added that they are “rival families”.

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The brother and sister were subsequently arrested by gardai but “nothing of an evidentiary nature” was gained during interviews.

Mr O’Sullivan asked Det Garda Landers if the victim had done anything to provoke the attack? “No,” said the detective. The injured party didn’t wish to make a victim impact statement.

Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Devereux has a number of previous convictions including violent disorder in Bruach na Sionna, Castleconnell and possession of explosives in suspicious circumstances. Ms Devereux has no previous convictions.

Amy Nix BL, for Mr Devereux, put it to Det Garda Landers that it happened in a matter of seconds. “Eleven seconds,” said Det Garda Landers. Ms Nix said she was not seeking to diminish the experience but the victim didn’t receive injuries. “Bruising and marking,” said the detective.

Ms Nix said Mr Devereux’s drug use had become hugely problematic at the time but he no longer abuses drugs. She said a six-month prison sentence was a “sobering experience” and “extremely frightening” for her client who didn’t leave his prison cell.

“He doesn’t want to go back there. He has kept his head down. He is remorseful and instructs me to apologise. The harm done to her is not lost on him. He is a different man today compared to 2021,” said Ms Nix, who asked Judge Colin Daly to give Mr Devereux a chance.

Joseph McMahon BL, for Ms Devereux, said she got swept up and regrets it deeply. “She has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty, is a single mother and has worked since she was 18. She plans to relocate to Dublin. She has drafted a sincere letter of apology,” said Mr McMahon, who asked the judge not to give his client a custodial sentence.

Judge Daly adjourned sentencing for a week to consider his judgement. Last week, Judge Daly imposed a fully suspended 18-month prison sentence on Ms Devereux.

He deferred sentencing Mr Devereux for six months. The judge ordered the accused to continue engaging with the Probation Service, supply proof he is drug free, return to employment and if he complies he will suspend a two-and-a-half-year sentence in its entirety.