Two Limerick men sentenced in connection with 'one punch assault' at family gathering
TWO LIMERICK men have been sentenced for their roles in an incident in which a man had his jaw broken and a garda was told “f*** off or you’ll be dealt with”.
Brendan Hennessy, aged 40, of High Street, Kilfinane was found guilty of assault causing harm following a trial in October 2021.
Thomas O’Riordan, aged 49, of Lotteragh, Bruree, was found guilty at the same trial of impeding the apprehension of an offender. The offences occurred at Mr O’Riordan’s address on October 29, 2017.
The State was represented by Lily Buckley, instructed by State Solicitor Aidan Judge, and the investigating garda, David Higgins at Limerick Circuit Court.
Judge Dermot Sheehan said the trial before Judge Patrick Meghan, who has since retired, finished a long time ago.
The judge said the victim, who lives abroad, returned to Bruree for a large family gathering in October of 2017.
“After the pub they went to Mr O’Riordan’s residence. There was a disturbance of some sort and a window was broken,” said Judge Sheehan.
A female suffered a cut to her hand. The gardai had been called and Garda Higgins and the victim were giving her first aid, said the judge.
“The victim was kneeling down when Mr Hennessy hit him one punch in the face. Garda Higgins said he witnessed this. The victim said he didn’t know Mr Hennessy.
“The victim said he met him at the party but could not think of anything to spark the assault,” said Judge Sheehan, who described it as a “one punch assault”.
The victim suffered a fractured jaw and underwent an operation in UHL. Judge Sheehan said after the assault Mr Hennessy retreated into Mr O’Riordan’s house.
“Gardai went to follow Mr Hennessy. Mr O’Riordan told Garda Higgins, ‘No f****** way are you getting in’,” said Judge Sheehan.
The court heard Mr O’Riordan also told gardai “F*** off out and leave” and “fuck off or you’ll be dealt with”.
Garda Higgins’ evidence at the trial was that the situation was “extremely volatile and aggressive”.
Judge Sheehan referred to the victim impact statement of the injured party who said the assault had “significant negative psychological, physiological, social and emotional impact on my life”.
The injured party said in the statement that it is ongoing as his jaw is poorly aligned, can’t bite solid food and has pain in the right side almost every day.
The victim said he constantly worries about being assaulted when in an area he doesn't know or with people he does not know.
Judge Sheehan said neither of the defendants have previous convictions, are working, have families and are at a low risk of reoffending. The judge said Mr Hennessy assaulted a man who was operating as a rescuer.
“I don’t think society will benefit from having Mr Hennessy in custody. He is clearly needed by his family on the farm. He has come up with a substantial sum of money (€25,000) by way of remorse,” said Judge Sheehan, who imposed a three-year suspended sentence.
The judge said Mr O'Riordan has also lived a blameless life up to and after the incident where he behaved in “an aggressive and threatening manner to gardai”.
The judge noted Mr O'Riordan had €10,000 in compensation for the victim. An 18 month suspended sentence was handed down.