Seven years jail for duo in ‘racial’ attack on students in Limerick

TWO YOUNG men have been jailed over a “racially-motivated attack” in broad daylight on two Kuwaiti students who had just moved to Limerick to study in UL.

Judge Tom O’Donnell said it was a “very, very serious case” and made reference to “graphic CCTV footage” during a sentencing hearing before Christmas.

He adjourned the matter until January 19 to consider his verdict. On that date, Judge O'Donnell handed down jail sentences totaling seven years between the two accused.

On the first sentencing day in December, Charlie Clarke, aged 20, of Donoughmore Crescent, John Carew Park, Southill pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm and assault causing harm at the rear of the Hunt Museum on September 20, 2022.

A co-accused, who cannot be named as he is a juvenile, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to assault causing harm during the same incident.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Ronan O’Reilly.Mr O’Sullivan said two natives of Kuwait came to Limerick on August 30, 2022 to study civil engineering and aeronautical engineering in University of Limerick.

On September 20, 2022, they had classes in the morning and decided to make their way to the city centre on their e-scooters afterwards. Mr O’Sullivan said they had their lunch in the recently developed park at the rear of the Hunt Museum which is “one of the principal cultural and tourist attractions in Limerick city”.

“They were sitting on a park bench. At around 3pm they were approached by two youths. They were asked, ‘What were they looking at?’

“The two accused began shouting at the two students, ‘Do we have a problem?’ The students ignored them. The accused got very close to the victims. One of the victims told gardai one of the accused had yellow hair and bad teeth.

“The victims were asked about their nationality and why they came to Limerick. Bad things were said about the victims’ mothers,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The barrister said the Kuwaiti students were asked to fight where there were no cameras.

“One of the victims said, ‘If you are going to do something, do it here’. Mr Clarke, who had a knife, punched one of the victims in the face, the court heard.

“The victim grabbed Mr Clarke to protect himself. He felt pain in his left side but didn’t know what it was. He said Mr Clarke tried to stab him in the head but he blocked his arm. He saw that he was bleeding. He received at least five stab wounds,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

An elderly man, who had been at Barrington’s Hospital earlier and was enjoying tea at the Hunt Museum Café with his wife, received a knife wound after running over to break it up.

The second Kuwaiti student “got a few boxes” from the accused, who cannot be named, suffering minor head wounds.

Mr O’Sullivan said the stabbing victim had quite significant blood loss and was at risk of death but for medical intervention by paramedics and staff in UHL.

The barrister said the attack has greatly affected the victim as he wanted to work in the army but now will not be able to unless he gets plastic surgery.

He can’t go out on his own and finds it hard to sleep at night as he dreams of the knife at his head, said Mr O’Sullivan.

The prosecuting barrister put it to Det Garda O’Reilly that Mr Clarke and his juvenile co-accused behaved in a feral manner? “I would agree,” said Det Garda O’Reilly.

Mr O’Sullivan asked if there was an element of racial motivation? “I believe that is the case,” said Det Garda O’Reilly.

The two defendants were also charged with violent disorder in relation to an incident nine days earlier - September 11, 2022 - at around 3am at Dromroe, Rhebogue.

The court heard a young man was set upon by a gang of youths - he was kicked in the face and body and “relieved of his watch” valued at €500.

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Roisin Lacey SC, who represented both accused, said Mr Clarke has minor previous convictions and the juvenile accused has none.

“Both young men are offering sincere apologies. There is clear remorse and regret,” said Ms Lacey.

The senior counsel said both young men had been exposed to violence including assaults, had difficulties with drugs, one fractured his skull after falling from a horse while the other was kicked in the face by a horse.

“There is a blank denial that it was racially motivated. Both young men have contact, interaction and friendship with people from other races and backgrounds,” said Ms Lacey.

She said the death of Mr Clarke’s grandfather was the “catalyst” for him turning to drink and drugs “to stop thinking about it”.

Ms Lacey said after a brother of Mr Clarke’s was stabbed in the face, Mr Clarke started carrying a knife for his protection.

Ms Lacey said Mr Clarke had had an argument with his girlfriend on the morning of the incident at the rear of the Hunt Museum, had taken tablets and anger took over.

“He thought they (victims) were talking about them (the two accused) and looking at them in a judgemental way.

“He should not have engaged and he wouldn’t be here,” said Ms Lacey.

The senior counsel said these are serious charges but asked Judge O’Donnell to look at the alternatives in relation to the juvenile accused and take into account Mr Clarke’s lack of previous violent convictions.

“Both of these young men can become contributing members of society,” said Ms Lacey.

On January 19, Judge O’Donnell imprisoned Mr Clarke for seven years with the final two years suspended for assault causing serious harm.

The judge imposed a three-year sentence for assault causing harm. Mr Clarke received a two year sentence for violent disorder.

All sentences are to be served concurrently and backdated to September 29, 2022 when Mr Clarke was remanded in custody.

The juvenile co-accused received a three year jail sentence with the final year suspended for assault causing harm. Judge O’Donnell handed down a two prison sentence, to be served concurrently, on the violent disorder charge.