Courts / Offaly / Report
Life sentences for "brutal, motiveless" attack on elderly man
Summary
The family of a 64‑year‑old man who was murdered by three men after they broke into his home expressed shock and horror at the brutality of his death. The family statement, read at the Central Criminal Court, said they were "horrified and shocked at the cruel and heartless way he was brutally taken from us" and that they hoped for justice. The three men, Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (22) and James Davy (25), were convicted of murder on 4–5 August. The judge imposed a mandatory life sentence on each, back‑dating the sentences to account for time spent in custody since 24 November 2014. The court heard that the men had previously been convicted of a range of offences, including arson, burglary and assault.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Life sentences for "brutal, motiveless" attack on elderly man. Charges or matters: murder. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- August 5 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 4 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 2008 Incident
- December 2014 Incident
- 24 November 2014 Incident
- February 11 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-10-10 Publication
Why: James Davy was carrying a baseball bat which he said he needed for protection because he claimed he had been beaten up the last time he came to Edenderry. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: murder (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; The judge then called Sean Davy and lastly James Davy, on whom she imposed the same sentence.
Convicted Person
Charges: murder (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; She first asked Mr Cummins to stand up before sentencing him to the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.
Convicted Person
Charges: murder (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; The judge then called Sean Davy and lastly James Davy, on whom she imposed the same sentence.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Toddy Dooley's house
- Toddy's house
Topics
Burglary Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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