Courts / Limerick / Report
Limerick man who beat schoolboy unconscious now "vastly better", court hears
Summary
In a Court of Criminal Appeal hearing, Adam Fitzgibbon, aged 20, was described as "vastly better" than two years ago after a brutal attack on a 16‑year‑old schoolboy that left the victim with permanent brain damage. Fitzgibbon's assault, captured on CCTV, involved 65 kicks, 26 punches and several stamps to the boy's head, chest and body, and was deemed unprovoked, sustained and vicious. He had previously been sentenced to 15 years, with the final three years suspended, for intentionally causing serious harm. The appeal argued that Fitzgibbon's severe background, including drug and alcohol problems, should be considered in sentencing. The court will review reports of his progress in prison and hear submissions from the appellant and the Director of Public Prosecutions before deciding a new sentence. The victim remains in a state of ongoing medical care for weakness, deafness and speech problems.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Limerick man who beat schoolboy unconscious now "vastly better", court hears. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 23, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2011 Incident
- 2014-05-26 Publication
Why: Mr Justice Clarke said that "not least because of the issues addressed", the court would reserve its judgement, which when delivered would deal with the general points raised by Mr O'Malley in supplementary submissions and the specific case before it. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Outcome: Given the man's young age and previous record, presiding judge Mr Justice Frank Clarke said the court would consider reports on his progress in prison and hear submissions from both the appellant and the DPP on what an appropriate sentence might be before determining the new sentence to be imposed. However, a plea to intentionally causing his victim serious harm was accepted in the Central Criminal Court and in November 2011 he was sentenced to 15 years with the final three years suspended by Mr Justice Paul Carney.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Limerick
- Limerick Hospital
- National Rehabilitation Hospital
Topics
Drugs Stage Appeal Violent Crime
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