Courts / Dublin / Report
Teen jailed for 'disturbing, despicable" attack on man who later died
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 7 December 2020, 18‑year‑old Josh Henney was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, with the last six months suspended, for a violent disorder offence committed on 11 November 2018. Henney, who was 16 at the time, was the ringleader of a group of teenagers who attacked 20‑year‑old Christopher Palmer after Palmer tried to steal a greeting card from a newsagent. CCTV footage showed Henney pushing Palmer into the shop with the front wheel of his bike, repeatedly punching him, dragging him outside and kicking him while he lay on the ground. The court noted Palmer was helpless and unprovoked, and that Henney returned to the scene to inflict further assaults. Palmer died five days later from a drug overdose, a death not linked to the assault. Josh Henney pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Teen jailed for 'disturbing, despicable" attack on man who later died. Charges or matters: one count of violent disorder at Day Today newsagents on Ballybough Road, Dublin on November 11, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 11, 2018 Incident
- 2020-12-07 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of violent disorder at Day Today newsagents on Ballybough Road, Dublin on November 11, 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: CCTV footage shown to the court showed Henney pushing Mr Palmer back into the shop with the front wheel of his bike, before he punched him repeatedly to the head, dragged him outside the shop and kicked him as he lay on the ground. "It is without doubt disturbing viewing, demonstrating a thuggish brutality against a defenceless young man," Judge Elma Sheahan said of the CCTV footage as she sentenced Henney today. She handed down a two-year sentence but suspended the final six months on a number of conditions.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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