Courts / Tipperary / Report

Father-of-two gets three years for assaulting friend he later murdered

Date
2014-05-12

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Clonmel

Summary

John Hannigan, 46, of River House, New Quay, Clonmel, was sentenced to three years in prison for assault causing harm to Anthony Fallon, whom he later murdered. Hannigan already serves a life sentence for the murder of Fallon, a fellow father of two, which occurred on 18 January 2012. The assault took place early that morning in Fallon's Abbey Street flat, where Hannigan and Joseph O'Riordan subjected Fallon to a prolonged attack. Neighbours heard the assault, and after leaving the flat the trio went to a shop where the shopkeeper did not recognise Fallon due to his injuries. The murder happened in a car park after the shop. Hannigan admitted striking Fallon with "Bruce Lee" punches because he "wouldn't shut up." The 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. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Father-of-two gets three years for assaulting friend he later murdered. Charges or matters: the assault charge and has already been sentenced to three years in prison. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 18, 2012 Incident
2014-05-12 Publication

Why: The murder took place in a car park after they left the shop, with Hannigan admitting he had inflicted 'Bruce Lee' punches on his victim because he 'wouldn't shut up'. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed man

Defendant

Charges: the assault charge and has already been sentenced to three years in prison (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: A Tipperary father of two has been jailed for three years for assault causing harm to the friend he later murdered. The mandatory life sentence for murder was imposed then, but he was back before the court today to be sentenced for the assault.