Courts / Dublin / Report

Disgraced politician's son gets community service for lighting firework in Coppers

Date
2020-02-21
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Oliver Callely, 28, of Clontarf, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for igniting fireworks at Copper Face Jacks nightclub on Harcourt Street on July 6, 2015. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. Judge Karen O'Connor, who heard evidence in December, ordered Callely to perform 240 hours of community service over a 12-month period in lieu of a two-year prison sentence. The maximum penalty for the offence was five years. The court heard that the firework struck a victim in the smoking area, causing burns that required eight visits to a burns unit over two months. The victim stated the injuries impacted his sports career but did not wish for Callely to be imprisoned. Defence counsel Dean Kelly BL described the act as reckless rather than intentional, noting Callely had paid €6,500 to the victim. Judge O'Connor acknowledged the difficult family circumstances and high-profile father but stated that drinking was no defence. She emphasized that Callely had opportunities most people lacked and warned him that this was his last chance. The matter was concluded with the imposition of the community service order.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Disgraced politician's son gets community service for lighting firework in Coppers. Charges or matters: igniting fireworks at the nightclub on Harcourt Street on July 6, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Oliver Callely

Defendant

Charges: igniting fireworks at the nightclub on Harcourt Street on July 6, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Karen O'Connor, who heard evidence in the case last December, today ordered Callely to do 240 hours of community service over a 12 month period in lieu of a two year prison service.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
  • Harcourt Street
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request