Courts / Dublin / Report
Appeal against conviction for series of 'vicious' assaults is temporarily struck out
Summary
In June 2022, the Court of Appeal struck out an appeal against the conviction and sentence of Declan Byrne, a 35‑year‑old former resident of Spencer Dock, Sheriff Street, Dublin. Byrne had been jailed for eight years for his role in a series of "vicious and savage assaults" outside a nightclub in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, on 1 August 2016. He pleaded not guilty to one count of violent disorder, one count of causing serious harm, and three counts of causing harm, but a jury at Trim Circuit Criminal Court found him guilty in March 2020. He received a nine‑year sentence with 12 months suspended. Byrne, now in Midlands Prison, had previously sought appeals that were adjourned when he changed counsel. The latest appeal hearing was scheduled for that day, but his new barrister, Keith Spencer BL, requested another adjournment to review CCTV footage and notes from Byrne's former legal team.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Appeal against conviction for series of 'vicious' assaults is temporarily struck out. Charges or matters: one count of violent disorder, contrary to Section 15(1) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, one count of causing serious harm, contrary to Section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act, and three counts of causing harm, contrary to the same act, in Ashbourne, Co Meath in the early hours of August 1, 2016. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- August 1, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-06-21 Publication
Why: However, Byrne's latest barrister, Keith Spencer BL, told the Court of Appeal that he was requesting yet another adjournment on behalf of his client in order to familiarise himself with the case. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: one count of violent disorder, contrary to Section 15(1) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, one count of causing serious harm, contrary to Section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act, and three counts of causing harm, contrary to the same act, in Ashbourne, Co Meath in the early hours of August 1, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Byrne, now an inmate of the Midlands Prison, later launched appeals against both conviction and sentence – but proceedings on two previous occasions were adjourned when Byrne changed his legal team at the last minute.; Byrne, now an inmate of the Midlands Prison, later launched appeals against both conviction and sentence – but proceedings on two previous occasions were adjourned when Byrne changed his legal team at the last minute.
Applicant
Outcome: Midlands Prison, later launched appeals against both conviction and sentence – but proceedings on two previous occasions were adjourned when Byrne changed his legal team at the last minute.; Midlands Prison, later launched appeals against both conviction and sentence – but proceedings on two previous occasions were adjourned when Byrne changed his legal team at the last minute.
Places mentioned
- Sheriff Street
- Dublin
- Trim
- Trim Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Midlands Prison
Topics
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