Courts / Kerry / Report

"Justice not served": teleporter case "another example of victim blaming", family say

Date
2018-12-03

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Ballyduff

County
Kerry

Summary

Michael Ferris, 63, was jailed for five years at the Central Criminal Court for manslaughter after repeatedly driving a teleporter into his neighbour Anthony O'Mahony, 73, during a long‑standing dispute over a noisy bird‑scaring device. The jury found Ferris not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a 10‑to‑two majority. At the sentence hearing, Justice Carmel Stewart imposed a six‑year prison term with one year suspended, back‑dated to the day of the offence. The judge cited Ferris's admission of guilt, his remorse, lack of prior convictions and his age as mitigating factors. The family of the deceased, led by niece Ann O'Carroll, expressed that they believed justice was not served, arguing the sentence was too lenient and that the case exemplified victim blaming in Irish courts. The judge noted the severity of the injuries inflicted and the impact on the victim's family.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Justice not served": teleporter case "another example of victim blaming", family say. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

October 19 Hearing Or Sentence
April 4, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
November 26 Incident
2018-12-03 Publication

Why: The defence argued that there had been cumulative provocation because of the behaviour of the deceased and the fair and just verdict would be manslaughter. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Michael Ferris

Convicted Person

Outcome: At a sentence hearing this morning, Ms Justice Stewart sentenced Ferris to six years in prison with one year suspended, backdated to April 4, 2017 when he first went into custody. Ms Justice Stewart sentenced Ferris to six years imprisonment with the final year suspended, backdated to April 4, 2017 when he first went into custody.