Courts / Armagh / Report
'Border Fox' O'Hare withdraws appeal after judge's warning
Summary
Former INLA member Dessie O'Hare, known as "The Border Fox," withdrew his appeal against the severity of his sentence at the Court of Appeal. O'Hare, of County Armagh, was jailed in 2019 by the Special Criminal Court for seven years for falsely imprisoning a family and leading a violent attack. He pleaded guilty to assaulting John Roche and falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne at Rathcoole and Saggart on June 9, 2015. The court sentenced him to three years for the assault and ten years for the imprisonment, with the final three years suspended for life; the sentences run concurrently. A previous appeal hearing was adjourned after O'Hare dismissed his lawyers. During today's hearing, Justice George Birmingham warned that the court could increase his sentence, noting his 1988 conviction for kidnapping Dr. John O'Grady, for which he received 40 years before release under the Good Friday Agreement. Counsel argued O'Hare was being punished for past sins, citing co-accused Declan "Whacker" Duffy, who received six years in 2018 for similar offences. After Justice Birmingham indicated the appeal was unlikely to succeed, O'Hare instructed his barrister to withdraw the appeal. The matter was adjourned following the withdrawal, and the original sentence stands.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Border Fox' O'Hare withdraws appeal after judge's warning. Charges or matters: falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne at Rathcoole and Saggart on the same date. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 9, 2015 Incident
- October 13, 1987 Other
- 2021-07-29 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne at Rathcoole and Saggart on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: County Armagh was jailed in 2019 by the Special Criminal Court for seven years for falsely imprisoning a family in their home and for leading a "disturbingly violent" attack on another man.; A previous appeal hearing last year was adjourned after O'Hare dismissed his lawyers.
Appellant
Outcome: Photo: Collins) Former INLA terrorist Dessie O'Hare, who was known as "The Border Fox", has withdrawn his appeal against the severity of his sentence for falsely imprisoning a family.
Background Person
Outcome: Former Republican paramilitary Declan "Whacker" Duffy was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to six years imprisonment in 2018 after pleading guilty to assaulting John Roche, causing him harm, on the same occasion.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Special Criminal Court
- Slate Rock Road
- Newtownhamilton
- Armagh
- Garter Lane
Topics
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