Courts / Dublin / Report

Grandad jailed over violent attack in pet shop

Summary

Noel Dempsey (61), of Stannaway Road, Dublin 12, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for violent disorder. The incident occurred on February 5, 2011, at Purrrfect Pets, Longmile Road, following a dispute over a parking space. Dempsey initially denied charges of assault causing harm and violent disorder but pleaded guilty to violent disorder on the second day of his trial before a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury. Judge John Aylmer described the attack on victim Mark Eagers as savage and unprovoked, noting that Dempsey entered the store with calm determination to assist his son. The court heard that Eagers suffered a broken nose and a key lodged in his thumb. In related proceedings, Vicky Dempsey (36) received a two-year suspended sentence in February 2015 after pleading guilty to violent disorder. The court noted she allegedly dragged a woman by the hair during the attack. Her brother, Karl Dempsey (38), was jailed for 20 months in May 2015 after also pleading guilty to violent disorder. The judge acknowledged Karl was the initial aggressor but stated he summoned his father and sister to seek revenge. Noel Dempsey, who has 103 previous convictions, was defended by Keith Spencer BL, who cited his client's ill-health, including heart stents and cancer remission, and argued he entered the store only to prevent his daughter from losing her temper.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Grandad jailed over violent attack in pet shop. Charges or matters: violent disorder. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 5, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 2015 Incident
• 2017-07-08 Publication

Why: Mr Spencer said his client's case had been delayed coming to trial because of his extreme ill-health. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report