Courts / Limerick / Report

Two-year jail term imposed on Limerick man who went "on a rampage" and slashed man's face in unprovoked attack was "unduly lenient"

Date
2015-04-23

Stage
Appeal

Court
Limerick Circuit Criminal Court

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

Anthony 'Tony' Kelly, aged 24, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm after a May 2011 unprovoked attack on a 22‑year‑old man in Limerick. The original sentence, imposed by Mr Justice Carroll Moran on 10 February 2012, was four years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by John O'Sullivan BL, appealed, arguing that Kelly had "gone on a rampage," robbed a man of money and a mobile phone, and then, 24 hours later, slashed the face of another man, causing permanent facial disfigurement. The Court of Appeal, hearing the case on 23 April 2015, found the sentence "unduly lenient." Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, joined by Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, ordered a probation report and postponed the new sentencing to 4 June 2015, where a revised sentence would be imposed.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Two-year jail term imposed on Limerick man who went "on a rampage" and slashed man's face in unprovoked attack was "unduly lenient". Charges or matters: assault causing serious harm at Catherine Street Limerick on May 13 2011. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

May 13 2011 Incident
February 10 2012 Incident
June 4 Hearing Or Sentence
2015-04-23 Publication

Case subjects

Tony' Kelly

Appellant

Charges: assault causing serious harm at Catherine Street Limerick on May 13 2011 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was sentenced to four years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Mr Justice Carroll Moran on February 10 2012. The Director of Public Prosecutions successfully sought a review of Kelly's sentence in the Court of Appeal today and a new sentence will be imposed on him on June 4 next.