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5-year sentence imposed on man involved in group attack on American tourists was excessive, appeal court finds
Summary
Ian Dent, 21, of Crumlin, was convicted of two counts of violent disorder for his role in a group attack on two American tourists in Temple Bar on 29 April 2012. The tourists suffered serious injuries, including a broken arm and permanent facial scarring. Dent was sentenced to five years' imprisonment by Mr Justice Patrick McCartan on 29 July 2014. Two other Dublin men received concurrent sentences, and a fourth man was jailed separately after pleading guilty. The Court of Appeal, hearing the case on 4 June 2015, found Dent's five‑year sentence excessive. A new sentence will be imposed on 9 July 2015. The appeal was based on Dent's lack of prior convictions, his youth, and his attempts to restrain the group and defuse the situation, which the trial judge had not considered. The Court of Appeal remanded Dent in custody pending the new sentence. Ian Dent pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 5-year sentence imposed on man involved in group attack on American tourists was excessive, appeal court finds. Charges or matters: two counts of violent disorder at Merchant's Arch opposite the Ha'penny Bridge and at nearby Crampton Quay on April 29 2012. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- April 29 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 29 2014 Incident
- July 9 Incident
- 2015-06-04 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: two counts of violent disorder at Merchant's Arch opposite the Ha'penny Bridge and at nearby Crampton Quay on April 29 2012 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; The two American tourists had to travel to Ireland twice for the trial in which Dent was found guilty and subsequently sentenced to five years imprisonment by Mr Justice Patrick McCartan on July 29 2014. The Court of Appeal found Dent's five year sentence to be excessive today and a new sentence will be imposed on him on July 9 next.; He was remanded in custody to July 9 next when a new sentence will be imposed on him.
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