Courts / Dublin / Report
Man who left elderly priest with fractured skull after attacking him in his home remains on bail
Summary
In October 2013, Shane Cooney, aged 24, attacked Father Diarmuid Byrne, 70, in the priest's Rialto home with an iron bar, leaving him with a fractured skull and numerous facial wounds that required 26 stitches. Gardaí found blood‑stained iron bar and other items near the house after neighbours reported a disturbance. Cooney was arrested in an intoxicated state, pleaded guilty to burglary and assault, and was remanded on bail pending sentence. Judge Mary Ellen Ring set conditions for his bail, including residence at Tiglin, Wicklow, where he is to continue a 16‑month residential drug treatment programme. The case was adjourned to December to monitor his progress. The priest, who had been living alone, was initially confused and covered in blood when gardaí arrived at 1.30 a.m., and the house was ransacked but no items were taken. The court received a victim impact report and a medical report, though they were not read out.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who left elderly priest with fractured skull after attacking him in his home remains on bail. Charges or matters: burglary and assaulting Fr Byrne causing him harm on St Anthony's Road, Rialto on October 16, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 16, 2013 Adjournment
- July 2008 Other
- 2014-10-28 Publication
Why: He was arrested because there were concerns for his own safety and there was blood splattered all over his clothing and runners. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: burglary and assaulting Fr Byrne causing him harm on St Anthony's Road, Rialto on October 16, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Mary Ellen Ring agreed to "tentatively" remand Cooney on continuing bail pending sentence after his defence counsel, Michael Bowman SC, requested that he be allowed to continue a 16 month residential drug treatment programme in Tiglin, Wicklow.; She adjourned the case to next December to monitor Cooney's progress on the programme.
Places mentioned
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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