Courts / Dublin / Report
Dublin city centre an 'increasingly dangerous place', judge remarks
Summary
In a sentencing hearing on 24 February 2022, Judge Melanie Greally imposed a suspended three‑year prison term on 22‑year‑old Kieran Comerford of Blackhall Parade, Stoneybatter, for a violent, unprovoked attack that took place on 17 February 2017 in Dublin city centre. The assault involved Comerford, then 17, and four friends who attacked two Brazilian men walking along the Luas line at Mary's Abbey. The victims were punched and kicked; one was hit several times. Comerford later admitted drunkenness and pleaded guilty to violent disorder in June 2021. The judge described the assault as "very frightening and cowardly", noting that while there was no lasting physical harm, one victim now feels unsafe at night and left Ireland that same year. She highlighted that most of Comerford's prior convictions were as a juvenile and that he has had no significant offending since the 2017 incident. The suspended sentence is conditional on him keeping the peace and behaving well.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dublin city centre an 'increasingly dangerous place', judge remarks. Charges or matters: violent disorder. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 17, 2017 Incident
- June 2021 Incident
- 2022-02-24 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: violent disorder (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A judge has said that Dublin city centre is becoming an increasingly dangerous place for people to walk around at night as she imposed a suspended sentence on a man who carried out a 'cowardly' attack when he was a teen. She imposed a three-year prison sentence but suspended it on strict conditions including that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
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