Courts / Dublin / Report
Mother tells court she felt she "lost everything" after death of son
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Geraldine Saunders, mother of 21‑year‑old Jason Saunders, spoke after Judge Martina Baxter sentenced Paul Brannigan, 27, for assault. Brannigan was convicted of striking Saunders with a golf club; the jury acquitted him of a head‑butt assault claimed to be self‑defence and could not reach a verdict on manslaughter. Brannigan pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and two assault charges. The judge imposed a three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspended the last eight months, and credited 22 months already served. Saunders, who lost her son in a street altercation on 18 March 2014, described the loss as devastating, saying she feels she has "lost everything" and struggles to leave her home. The court noted Brannigan's lack of remorse toward the family.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mother tells court she felt she "lost everything" after death of son. Charges or matters: manslaughter and two charges of assault causing harm to Mr Saunders. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- March 18, 2014 Incident
- October 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 18 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-12-03 Publication
Why: Mrs Saunders was not entitled to submit a victim impact statement because of a gap in the law but Judge Baxter allowed her to speak in court after she had passed sentence. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: manslaughter and two charges of assault causing harm to Mr Saunders (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Judge Baxter said that there was no verdict on the cause of his death and she was sentencing Brannigan strictly for a single assault, which has a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment. Judge Baxter suspended the last eight months of a three and a half year sentence.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- St Patrick's Day house
- Fassaugh Avenue
Topics
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