Courts / Dublin / Report
Criminal attacked and threatened to kill court case witness
Summary
Derek Lennon, 34, was jailed for four and a half years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to two counts of threatening a witness, criminal damage to CCTV cameras, assault causing harm, production of a length of wood, and threatening to kill or cause serious harm on October 2 and November 13, 2018. The offences stemmed from a 2017 District Court road traffic prosecution where Lennon, found guilty of dangerous driving, was sentenced to 90 hours of community service and banned from driving for six years. Following an appeal regarding the severity of that sentence, Lennon allegedly intimidated State witness Niall Fitzgerald, who was too afraid to attend court. In November 2018, Lennon allegedly attacked Fitzgerald with a plank of wood and punched him, causing facial injuries and dental damage. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a substantial custodial sentence, noting Lennon's 72 previous convictions and his inability to reform. The sentence was backdated to when Lennon was first remanded in custody last November. Defense counsel highlighted Lennon's remorse and fixation on his driving ban, while the victim reported lasting trauma and diminished faith in the justice process.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Criminal attacked and threatened to kill court case witness. Charges or matters: dangerous driving following a District Court trial; two counts of threatening a witness, criminal damage to CCTV cameras, assault causing harm, production of a length of wood and threatening to kill or cause serious harm on October 2 and November 13, 2018. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- March 2016 Incident
- October 2 Incident
- November 13, 2018 Incident
- October 2018 Other
- 2019-11-11 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: dangerous driving following a District Court trial; two counts of threatening a witness, criminal damage to CCTV cameras, assault causing harm, production of a length of wood and threatening to kill or cause serious harm on October 2 and November 13, 2018 (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Derek Lennon (34), who was today jailed for four and half years for assault causing harm, issuing threats and witness intimidation, had been involved in a District Court road traffic prosecution in 2017. Lennon was sentenced to 90 hours community service and banned from driving for six years.; He backdated it to when Lennon was first remanded in custody last November.
Places mentioned
Topics
Road Traffic Stage Appeal Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request