Courts / Dublin / Report
Talented footballer gets community service for taking part in attack when teen
Summary
Stephen Kinch, 29, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for an assault committed in 2004. Kinch, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty to assaulting Gary Byrne on March 17, 2004. The court heard that Kinch, who was 16 at the time, admitted to head-butting the victim but denied striking him with an iron bar, an allegation attributed to Mr. Byrne. Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced Kinch to two and a half years in prison but suspended the sentence in full. She ordered him to complete 240 hours of community service. The judge noted that Kinch was a different man today, citing his full-time employment and voluntary work. Mr. Byrne, who was not present, expressed a wish for a non-custodial sentence and accepted €6,000 in compensation handed over in court. The judge described Mr. Byrne as generous and compassionate. Kinch had previously failed to appear for sentencing in 2006, resulting in a bench warrant. He has no previous convictions. The matter was concluded with the imposition of the suspended sentence and community service order.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Talented footballer gets community service for taking part in attack when teen. Charges or matters: assaulting Gary Byrne in Tallaght on March 17, 2004. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 17, 2004 Incident
- 2018-02-02 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: assaulting Gary Byrne in Tallaght on March 17, 2004 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Credit: Collins) By Fiona Ferguson and Jessica Magee A talented footballer has been sentenced to community service in lieu of time in prison for an assault he took part in as a teenager 13 years ago. She sentenced Kinch to two and a half years in prison but suspended the sentence in full and ordered him to complete 240 hours of community service. "Mr Kinch is a different man today," she said.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Tymon North Road
- Tallaght
- moved out of Tallaght Garda Station
- Tallaght
Topics
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