Courts / Dublin / Report

Suspended sentence for man who took part in violent unprovoked assault

Date
2016-12-14

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Rathfarnham

County
Dublin

Summary

Noel Murtagh, 29, pleaded guilty to assaulting Christopher and Joseph Lennon on Camden Street, Dublin, on 26 June 2014. The assault was unprovoked and involved punching and kicking the brothers. Joseph Lennon suffered a badly broken jaw, requiring metal plates and still cannot fully open his mouth. Murtagh's co‑accused, Michael Coleman, was found to have caused the more serious injuries, including punching and kicking Joseph Lennon while he was on the ground. Coleman was jailed for 18 months in July 2015. Judge Melanie Greally accepted evidence that Coleman was the instigator and that Murtagh's role was less violent. She sentenced Murtagh to a three‑year prison term, suspended in full, and ordered 240 hours of community service within 12 months. The court noted a probation report indicating Murtagh was at low risk of re‑offending and had shown appropriate shame for his actions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for man who took part in violent unprovoked assault. Charges or matters: assaulting Christopher and Joseph Lennon, causing them harm, at Camden Street, Dublin on June 26, 2014; assaulting the brothers causing them harm. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

June 26, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
July 2015 Incident
April 2015 Incident
2016-12-14 Publication

Case subjects

Michael Coleman

Convicted Person

Charges: assaulting the brothers causing them harm (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Noel Murtagh

Accused

Charges: assaulting Christopher and Joseph Lennon, causing them harm, at Camden Street, Dublin on June 26, 2014; assaulting the brothers causing them harm (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Greally sentenced Murtagh to three years in prison which she suspended in full and ordered that he complete 240 hours community service within 12 months.