Courts / Dublin / Report

Three avoid jail for 'disturbing' attack on man who made derogatory remark about weight

Summary

In a 2018 incident at Rathmines, Stephen McNamee (26), his partner Natalie Mulligan (34) and her cousin Mark Connolly (26) chased and assaulted Paul O'Kelly after he made a derogatory remark about Mulligan's weight. The trio, all intoxicated, punched and kicked O'Kelly as he lay on the ground in a car park. CCTV footage showed the violence, prompting the court to describe it as "very disturbing". All three pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and were placed on bond to keep the peace until January 15, 2021. Judge Karen O'Connor discharged them under section 11 of the 2006 Criminal Justice Act, noting their remorse, lack of prior convictions, and young age. Each defendant paid €1,500 to O'Kelly as a practical expression of remorse. O'Kelly suffered nerve damage, dental surgery and ongoing anxiety as a result of the attack. The court recorded the defendants' expressions of regret and the impact of the assault on the victim.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Three avoid jail for 'disturbing' attack on man who made derogatory remark about weight. Charges or matters: assault causing harm at Rathgar Road, Rathmines, Dublin on April 24, 2018. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• April 24, 2018 Incident
• January 15 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2021-01-15 Publication

Why: He returned to hospital the next day and received a CT brain and facial scan and was kept overnight because he had vomited earlier that day. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report