Courts / Longford / Report

'Sadistic' attacker forced curtain pole into mother's lover, appeal court hears

Date
2022-06-23
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Longford
County
Longford

Summary

The Court of Appeal heard an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding the sentence imposed on Nathan Doherty (24), of Legan, Co Longford. Doherty pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm and producing an article capable of causing serious harm for an attack on Derek Murphy in June 2018. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended for ten years, and ordered to pay €30,000 in victim compensation. The DPP argued the suspended portion was unduly lenient, describing the assault as vile and sadistic. In response, counsel for Doherty highlighted mitigating factors, including his status as a first-time offender and his early guilty plea. Counsel also referenced the separate sentencing of Derek Doherty (52), of Vicarstown, Ballymahon, Co Longford, who was sentenced to 80 months in prison with the final 17 months suspended for his role in the incident. The defence argued that the father had instructed the son to attack the victim. The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgement on the appeal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Sadistic' attacker forced curtain pole into mother's lover, appeal court hears. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Case subjects

Derek Doherty

Convicted Person

Outcome: Derek Doherty (52), of Vicarstown, Ballymahon, Co Longford, was sentenced to 80 months in prison with the final 17 months suspended at Longford Circuit Criminal Court for his role in the attack. "His father led this," Mr Dockery said, adding that the parent had instructed his son to "do the bastard" during the 3am attack.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Court of Appeal
  • Mullingar
  • Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court
  • Longford
  • Longford Circuit Criminal Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

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