Courts / Dublin / Report

5-year-old witnessed hammer and pick handle attack, court hears

Date
2019-06-24
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Swords
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Michael Reilly Senior (49) and his son Michael Reilly Junior (22) were sentenced for an assault on Martin Maughan. The incident, part of a feud, involved the Reillys attacking Maughan with a hammer and pick handle while his wife and five‑year‑old granddaughter witnessed. Reilly Senior also bit Maughan's ear and repeatedly rammed his jeep with his van. Both pleaded guilty to assault causing harm; Reilly Senior also pleaded guilty to endangerment. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a headline sentence of five and a half years for Reilly Senior on the endangerment charge and a three‑year sentence for Reilly Junior on assault. Mitigating factors cited included guilty pleas, remorse, and the defendants' tragic backgrounds. Maughan suffered bruising and soft‑tissue injuries; the child was uninjured but distressed. The court noted prior convictions and mental‑health issues for both defendants.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 5-year-old witnessed hammer and pick handle attack, court hears. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
Incident

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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