Limerick jury takes just 53 minutes to reach not guilty verdict
A JURY took 53 minutes to find a man not guilty of engaging in violent disorder with members of a Traveller family in a city pub.
Daniel Kelly, aged 28, of Inch St Lawrence, Caherconlish, County Limerick had pleaded not guilty to violent disorder in Alfie Earls Bar, Lower Hartstonge Street, Limerick city on June 26, 2022.
Mr Kelly also pleaded not guilty to three counts of producing an article namely a metal object, bar stool and glass.
A jury of six men and four women was sworn in before Judge Colin Daly at Limerick Criminal Circuit Court.
John O’Sullivan BL, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, represented the State. Mr Kelly was defended by Kenneth Kerins BL, instructed by solicitor Michael O’Donnell.
Judge Daly, in his charge to the jury, said violent disorder is when three or more persons who are present together at any place use or threaten to use unlawful violence.
The judge said the alleged offences were against members of a Traveller family in Alfie Earls Bar.
Judge Daly said the CCTV played in the court “largely speaks for itself”.
The judge said the three charges in relation to a metal object, bar stool and glass refer to the production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury.
Judge Daly said Mr Kelly’s legal team’s defence to the charges was one of self defence.
“They argued the violence he used was in self defence to protect himself and people he was with,” said Judge Daly.
The judge said it is up to the jury to decide if it was “reasonable”.
“Every accused person that comes before the court has the presumption of innocence,” concluded Judge Daly in his charge to the jury.
The jury retired to begin their deliberations at 11.33am. They returned 53 minutes later with unanimous verdicts of all four counts of not guilty.
Mr Kelly jumped out of the dock to shake hands with his barrister Mr Kerins.
Judge Daly thanked the jurors for their service and excused them from jury duty for a period of three years.