Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for man over violent unprovoked attack on group cycling in park

Date
2018-04-17
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Christopher Connors, 22, of Carrickmines, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his part in a violent disorder incident in Balinteer on May 5, 2016. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year prison sentence, with the final 18 months suspended, after Connors pleaded guilty. The judge stated he saw no reason to depart from the previous judgment handed down by Judge Cormac Quinn in December, which applied to Connors' brother, John Connors, and cousin, Joseph Connors. Both men had also pleaded guilty to the same offence and received identical sentences. The court described the incident as an unprovoked serious attack on three Afghan nationals, including a 13-year-old boy, who were cycling in Marley Park. CCTV footage from a passing Dublin Bus and mobile phones showed the defendants attacking the victims, with one victim sustaining a broken nose. The judge noted that Christopher Connors participated fully, armed with a bottle. While the defense argued Connors played a lesser role and had been drinking, the judge upheld the earlier sentencing rationale. The matter was finalized with the imposition of these custodial terms, reflecting the severity of the unprovoked assault.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for man over violent unprovoked attack on group cycling in park. Charges or matters: violent disorder in Balinteer on May 5, 2016; the same offence. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: The 13-year-old boy has since left the country because "he doesn't feel safe here". CNI source report

Case subjects

Christopher Connors

Convicted Person

Charges: violent disorder in Balinteer on May 5, 2016; the same offence (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Today Judge Martin Nolan also sentenced Christopher Connors to three years with the final 18 months suspended after he said he saw no reason to depart from Judge Quinn's judgement of the case.

John Connors

Convicted Person

Charges: the same offence (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Today Judge Martin Nolan also sentenced Christopher Connors to three years with the final 18 months suspended after he said he saw no reason to depart from Judge Quinn's judgement of the case.

Joseph Connors

Convicted Person

Charges: the same offence (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Today Judge Martin Nolan also sentenced Christopher Connors to three years with the final 18 months suspended after he said he saw no reason to depart from Judge Quinn's judgement of the case.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
Incident
Address Area
  • Marley Park

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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