Courts / Dublin / Report
Violent criminal's sentence for throwing petrol bomb at garda is upheld
Summary
Gerrard Dunne has lost his appeal against a prison sentence for endangerment and possession of a petrol bomb. The three-judge Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, upheld the sentence imposed by Judge Melanie Greally at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Dunne, who pleaded guilty to throwing an ignited petrol bomb at Garda Karl Kelly on the Link Road, Darndale, Dublin, on April 29, 2019, argued that his original headline sentence was too high and that he deserved greater credit for his early plea and mental health issues. Justice Edwards rejected these arguments, stating the headline sentence of five years and six months was proportionate given the unprovoked nature of the attack and the lethal potential of the weapon. He noted that Garda Kelly avoided injury only by moving out of the way. The Court found no error in principle in the sentencing judge's approach. Dunne was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, with the final six months suspended for 12 months on strict conditions. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the original custodial sentence intact.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Violent criminal's sentence for throwing petrol bomb at garda is upheld. Charges or matters: endangerment and possession of a petrol bomb on the Link Road, Darndale, Dublin on April 29th, 2019. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 29th, 2019 Incident
- 2021-06-29 Publication
Why: " He noted that Garda Kelly only avoided being struck because he saw what was happening in his peripheral vision and moved out of the way. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: endangerment and possession of a petrol bomb on the Link Road, Darndale, Dublin on April 29th, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Delivering judgement today at the three-judge Court of Appeal, Mr Justice John Edwards said the headline sentence of five years and six months was "proportionate and appropriate" given that Dunne had thrown the petrol bomb at a garda in an unprovoked attack, when Garda Kelly had no warning and was not wearing protective clothing. She sentenced Dunne to four and a half years in prison and suspended the final six months of that sentence for 12 months on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
Topics
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