All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler leaves court with no conviction

A THREE time All-Ireland winning hurler left Limerick Circuit Court this Thursday with no criminal conviction for perjury.

Pat Ryan, aged 28, of Doon, pleaded guilty to and was convicted of perjury in the district court in March in relation to a fixed charge penalty notice. A two-week jail sentence was handed down by Judge Patrica Harney at the time.

The “severity” of the sentence was appealed by Mr Ryan's solicitor John Herbert in the circuit court before Judge Tom O’Donnell in May.

The matter related to Mr Ryan giving evidence under oath on October 21, 2020 that he did not receive a fixed charge penalty notice. The matter was struck out on that date.  

It was subsequently discovered, as part of a separate investigation, that a screenshot / photo of the fixed charge penalty notice was sent by Mr Ryan to a third party. It was as a result of this that Mr Ryan was then convicted of perjury in the district court in March and sentenced to two-weeks in jail. 

Setting out the circumstances during the appeal "of the severity" of the sentence, in May, Mr Herbert said Mr Ryan played hurling for Limerick and was “part of a hurling team we now know as the most successful team in the country”.

“He is an elite athlete. He was living in a bubble. He had 35 /40 teammates, an assortment of management, medical staff, and a cohort of people with assignments within the hurling squad. One of those was the man he communicated with,” said Mr Herbert.

The solicitor said the assurances Mr Ryan received turned out to be unfounded and spoke of the consequences of the conviction going forward - mortgage, insurance, volunteering.

Judge considers community service for All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler in perjury case

Judge O’Donnell adjourned the case in May, saying he was not formally making a community service order but "I am thinking along those lines".

When the case came back before the court in July, it was heard that Mr Ryan had completed 40 hours of voluntary community service.  On that date Judge O’Donnell directed ongoing engagement between Mr Ryan with the Probation Service and to complete the balance of the voluntary work hours. The matter was adjourned to November.

The case was back before Judge O’Donnell this Thursday. Mr Herbert said Mr Ryan had completed 100 hours of voluntary community service.

Judge O’Donnell said the comments made in mitigation by Mr Herbert last May weren't challenged by the State.

“It is a very, very serious charge. A conviction could have an extreme and significant impact on the person and the person’s career. Law is one thing, justice is another.

"I am extremely concerned the impact of a conviction would be completely disproportionate,” said Judge O’Donnell, who spoke of the context and explanation that was outlined to him by Mr Herbert in May.

Judge O’Donnell said Mr Ryan had carried out the voluntary community service with “impeccable aplomb”.

State solicitor Padraig Mawe said the State was incapable of challenging what was set out by Mr Herbert as they weren’t there at the time of the conversations between Mr Ryan and a third party.

Mr Mawe said all options are open to Judge O’Donnell.

“I understand the court’s dilemma with regard to law and justice. It is a serious charge. He does come before the court with an unblemished record,” said Mr Mawe.

Mr Herbert said he was in the judge’s hands.

Judge O’Donnell said he was aware the case received "enormous" media publicity.

“Even I read the papers occasionally. What he did was wrong - there is no doubt about it - but I am concerned of the disproportionate effect a conviction will have on him. It is a highly unusual case. I am going to allow the appeal,” said Judge O’Donnell.

Mr Ryan left the court with no criminal conviction.