Brothers jailed for assault at father’s wake in Wicklow

By Darragh McCann, The Wicklow People

Two brothers accused of assaulting a man during their father’s wake in Wicklow, who later fled to England for five years, have been sentenced to three years in prison with the final six months suspended

Brothers Michael Connors (34) and Larry Connors (33), both of no fixed abode, appeared before Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court for the finalisation of their sentence.

At the previous sitting, the court heard that the siblings had initially faced three charges, including violent disorder, causing serious harm, and threatening to kill or cause serious harm, but had pleaded guilty to an amended charge of affray.

Garda Mark Pender of Dunlavin Garda Station told the court that on September 6, 2019, at around 12.30pm, the brothers were attending their father’s wake in a local pub, with about 30 people present, when a dispute broke out and a man was assaulted and injured.

CCTV footage from a nearby supermarket showed a man running down the road with a group chasing him.

The victim was pinned against a car and further assaulted.

Michael and Larry Connors were identified on the CCTV footage wearing white dress shirts as chief mourners. Larry’s shirt appeared to have blood stains. The victim was later placed in the back of a car that fled the scene.

Gardaí became aware of the incident when the injured man presented at Rathfarnham Garda Station. Photographs of his injuries were submitted to court, and Gda Pender confirmed the man received medical treatment on the night of the assault.

Larry Connors has 54 previous convictions, including a three‑year sentence in 2020 at Isleworth Crown Court for burglary and theft of a dwelling.

The court heard previously that Michael Connors has previous convictions in Ireland, the UK, and Strasbourg, France, for offences including criminal damage, theft, and assault.

Mitigation was put forward on behalf of both brothers.

Counsel for Michael Connors, Paul O’Higgins SC, said his client had entered a guilty plea early, which should be regarded positively given doubts over the CCTV evidence.

He noted Michael had not come to garda attention between 2021 and late 2024.

He has offered €1,000 to charity and wishes to “share his experiences with younger members of the Traveller community".

Today's News in 90 - Friday February 27

Larry’s counsel, Simon Crowley BL, said his client had been in a heightened state of mourning at the time, with alcohol playing a significant role.

Mr Crowley requested any sentence allow for rehabilitation and engagement with the Probation Service.

During his judgement, Judge Patrick Quinn recapped the evidence, noting that both brothers fled to England in October 2019 and were arrested following their return to Ireland in December 2024. The pair were charged on December 27.

He further remarked on Michael being the youngest of 16, with the brothers having recently lost their grandmother “who was like a mother to them”.

Testimonials on behalf of Larry were handed up to the court, including from a priest named Eddie Venezuela, who described him as a “strong Catholic”.

The court heard that Larry was previously employed with his brother‑in‑law, before going through a “very bad patch”.

Judge Quinn said he was aware that Larry’s wife was struggling as a single parent and needed her husband to come home.

Michael’s wife gave in a letter that stated he suffered a broken arm, which caused him to suffer damage to an artery, which caused him to struggle with drugs and alcohol.

When handing down his sentence, Judge Quinn stated that the pair’s prior offending was their most serious offending to date, before imposing a sentence of three years, with the final six months suspended.

The sentence was backdated to December 2024, with the judge giving the pair a stern warning: “Do not come back before me in this court”, and remarking that “you both got lucky to have such good partners”. Both wives thanked the judge.