Courts / Tipperary / Report

Man convicted of murdering friend with "Bruce Lee" punches must await appeal fate

Date
2016-11-01

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Clonmel

Summary

John Hannigan, aged 48, was convicted of murdering his friend Anthony Fallon, 46, in Clonmel on 18 January 2012. Hannigan pleaded not guilty to both murder and assault causing harm. A Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty on both counts and he received a mandatory life sentence on 28 February 2014. The trial revealed that Hannigan had called an ambulance at River House before 7 a.m., reporting that Fallon had rung the doorbell and collapsed. A post‑mortem found 31 fractures to Fallon's ribs, collar and breast bones, with blunt force trauma to the head and trunk as the cause of death. Hannigan later admitted to the death, claiming he had lost his temper when Fallon would not stop talking and had punched him "hard and fast" like Bruce Lee. He denied having a black belt in karate. He is now awaiting the outcome of his appeal, which is expected on 22 November.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man convicted of murdering friend with "Bruce Lee" punches must await appeal fate. Charges or matters: murdering father-of-two Anthony Fallon in Clonmel on January 18, 2012; assault causing harm to the 46 year-old on the same date at Mr Fallon's flat on Abbey Street in the town. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 18, 2012 Incident
February 28, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
November 22nd Hearing Or Sentence
2016-11-01 Publication

Why: A father-of-two jailed for life for murdering his friend with what he described as 'Bruce Lee' punches because the victim 'wouldn't shut up', must wait to hear the outcome of his appeal against conviction. CNI source report

Case subjects

John Hannigan

Defendant

Charges: murdering father-of-two Anthony Fallon in Clonmel on January 18, 2012; assault causing harm to the 46 year-old on the same date at Mr Fallon's flat on Abbey Street in the town (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: A Central Criminal Court jury found Hannigan guilty on both counts and he was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Paul Carney on February 28, 2014.