Courts / Laois / Report

Boxing champ flanked by riot officers as he is sentenced for punching prison officer

Summary

Brendan Cummins, a 23‑year‑old former Leinster boxing champion, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for punching a prison officer at Portlaoise Prison on 20 February 2017. Cummins had 97 prior disciplinary sanctions and 11 previous assault convictions, including an earlier assault on a prison officer at Cloverhill Prison on the same date. The attack, described as unprovoked, broke the officer's nose and cut his inner lip, causing the officer to suffer headaches and a loss of smell. Cummins pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending the final year due to his age, and ordered that he have no contact with the officer or his family for 25 years. The court noted Cummins' plea and the prison punishments already imposed, including a year of solitary confinement.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Boxing champ flanked by riot officers as he is sentenced for punching prison officer. Charges or matters: assault causing harm on February 20, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 20, 2017 Incident
• 2018-10-10 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report