Courts / Tipperary / Report
"Die you bastard, die": youth left man with "fate worse then death" after savage attack
Summary
In 2014, 21‑year‑old Graham Meagher of Kilcaroon, Clogheen, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to 66‑year‑old PJ Kelly at Meagher's home. Meagher struck Kelly with a poker stand, shouting "die you bastard, die," resulting in severe brain damage that left Kelly unable to communicate and now in residential care. Meagher was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, by Judge Thomas Teehan in 2016. On 11 May 2018, the Court of Appeal dismissed Meagher's appeal, confirming the sentence as appropriate for a serious assault. The appeal court noted the assault was out of character for Meagher, who had no prior violent convictions, and that the victim's injuries were devastating and life‑altering. The decision upheld the original eight‑year term with two years suspended.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Die you bastard, die": youth left man with "fate worse then death" after savage attack. Charges or matters: assault causing serious harm to PJ Kelly (66) at that address on June 12, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 12, 2014 Incident
- May 10, 2016 Incident
- 2018-05-11 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: assault causing serious harm to PJ Kelly (66) at that address on June 12, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Meagher was sentenced to eight years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Thomas Teehan at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court on May 10, 2016 He lost an appeal against his sentence today, with the Court of Appeal holding that this case was "almost a text book example" of a serious assault of the most serious kind. Mr Justice Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Hedigan, said a sentence of eight years with two suspended was within the judge's discretion (and within the range envisaged by the Court of Criminal Appeal in DPP – v – Fitzgibbon), and suggested no error in principle.
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