Courts / Dublin / Report

Man left cousin with brain injury after beating him with fire extinguisher

Summary

Michael Joyce, aged 24, was sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment for assault causing serious harm to his cousin Christopher McDonagh, aged 35, on 24 January 2021. The incident occurred after Joyce and another man, both settled Travellers, had been drinking while watching a Conor McGregor fight. Video evidence showed Joyce repeatedly punching, kicking and stomping on McDonagh, who lay on the ground, before striking him with a fire extinguisher. McDonagh suffered dental and facial injuries, a serious brain injury and ongoing cognitive issues. Joyce pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing serious harm and had 38 prior convictions, including assault. The judge noted Joyce had taken drugs that night and became furious, describing the attack as prolonged and intentional. The sentence was back‑dated to the date Joyce entered custody for the offence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man left cousin with brain injury after beating him with fire extinguisher. Charges or matters: one count of assault causing serious harm to Christopher McDonagh at an address on Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin on January 24, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 24, 2021 Incident
• 2022-05-10 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report