Courts / Dublin / Report

Convicted violent burglar admits to "disgraceful and indefensible" false imprisonment and assault

Date
2018-07-24

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A Dublin man has pleaded guilty to assault and false imprisonment at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. Donal O'Hara (26), of Glin Park, Coolock, Dublin 17, admitted assaulting John Roche and causing him harm at The Towers, Saggart on 9 June 2015. He also admitted falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne at locations in Rathcoole and Saggart on the same date. The court heard that Mr Byrne was forcibly removed from a meeting and brought to his residence where Mr Roche was subsequently dragged from a nearby house and assaulted by multiple men. CCTV footage was presented to the court, and forensic evidence linked O'Hara to the assault. His defence counsel acknowledged the gravity of the offence but urged leniency given his age. O'Hara, who has previous convictions for assault and aggravated burglary, was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 31 July.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Convicted violent burglar admits to "disgraceful and indefensible" false imprisonment and assault. Charges or matters: assaulting John Roche, causing him harm at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart, County Dublin on June 9, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

June 9, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
May 31 Hearing Or Sentence
May 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
June 9 Other
July 31 Adjournment
2018-07-24 Publication

Case subjects

Donal O'Hara

Defendant

Charges: assaulting John Roche, causing him harm at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart, County Dublin on June 9, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Prosecution counsel, Shane Costelloe SC, submitted to the court that the sentence imposed on O'Hara has to be consecutive to the one he is currently serving. Mr Justice Tony Hunt presiding, with Judge Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Flann Brennan, remanded O'Hara in custody until July 31, when he will be sentenced.; Mr Justice Tony Hunt presiding, with Judge Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Flann Brennan, remanded O'Hara in custody until July 31, when he will be sentenced.