Courts / Dublin / Report
Dublin man sentenced to six-and-a-half years for "one punch" manslaughter
Summary
In October 2014, a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Alan Hatch, 38, to six‑and‑a‑half years in prison for the one‑punch manslaughter of Liam Bennett, 46, who died a week later after a severe brain injury. The incident occurred on August 8, 2013, along the canal near the Golden Bridge Industrial Estate. CCTV showed Bennett swinging his elbow at Hatch as they passed, but the footage did not capture contact. Hatch pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing and to a separate handbag robbery. The judge accepted that Hatch did not intend to kill Bennett but found the assault gratuitous and without justification. A 12‑month portion of the sentence was suspended, and the term was back‑dated to August 3, 2013, the date of Hatch's custody for the offence. Bennett's family expressed deep grief and a hope that no one else would suffer similar violence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dublin man sentenced to six-and-a-half years for "one punch" manslaughter. Charges or matters: the unlawful killing of Mr Bennett at Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore on August 8, 2013; robbing nurse Natalie Delaney of her handbag and contents on Thomas Street on January 6, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 8, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 6, 2013 Incident
- August 3, 2013 Incident
- August 1, 2013 Other
- 2014-10-30 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the unlawful killing of Mr Bennett at Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore on August 8, 2013; robbing nurse Natalie Delaney of her handbag and contents on Thomas Street on January 6, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She suspended the last 12 months of a six-and-a-half year sentence. She backdated the sentence to August 3, 2013, the date Hatch went into custody for this offence.
Places mentioned
- Beaumont Hospital
- South Circular Road
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Tyrconnell Road
- Thomas Street
Topics
Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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