Courts / Tipperary / Report
Man who attacked army veteran with sword fails in appeal
Summary
In a 2014 appeal, Liam McCarthy, aged 30, failed to overturn a nine‑year sentence for assaulting army veteran Martin Butler, aged 51, with an ornamental sword. The attack, described as savage, left Butler with brain damage, partial paralysis, and permanent communication difficulties. McCarthy had previously served a suspended sentence for assault and was under its terms when he struck Butler from behind, striking the left side of his head and causing a penetrating brain injury. McCarthy pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm, producing an offensive weapon, and violent disorder. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, noting that any provocation or self‑defence was grossly excessive and that the nine‑year sentence was appropriate for the severity of the assault. The judge also observed that the earlier suspended sentence had not deterred the offence. The appeal was dismissed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who attacked army veteran with sword fails in appeal. Charges or matters: counts of producing an offensive weapon and violent disorder on the same date. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- March 30, 2012 Incident
- 2014-11-10 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: counts of producing an offensive weapon and violent disorder on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Liam McCarthy (30), who was serving a suspended sentence for another assault when he struck Martin Butler (51) in the head with a sword following a row outside a pub. In October last year McCarthy was jailed for nine years by Judge Pauline Codd at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court, after pleading guilty to assault causing serious harm to Mr Butler, in Cappawhite, Co.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Clonmel
- Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court
- Cork University Hospital
Topics
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