Courts / Mayo / Report
Four who got suspended sentences for verbally abusing and assaulting two off-duty gardaí are sent to jail after appeal
Summary
Four men convicted of assaulting two off-duty gardaí at Charlestown in June 2012 have been imprisoned following a successful appeal by the Director of Public Prosecution against their original suspended sentences. Nico Barrett, aged 22, of Humbert Street, Sligo; David Leonard, aged 32, formerly of Rhue, Sligo; Daniel Phelan, aged 23, of Tower Crescent, Connolly Park, Sligo; and David Skeffington, aged 23, of Rathscanlon, Charlestown Road, Tubbercurry, had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court. The trial judge imposed three-year suspended sentences on Barrett, Leonard, and Skeffington, and a two-year suspended sentence on Phelan in October 2014. The Court of Appeal found the sentences unduly lenient. Mr Justice John Edwards, speaking for the three-judge court, stated that custodial sentences were unavoidable and that assaults on peace officers must be severely punished. Barrett received 14 months imprisonment, whilst the other three received 12 months each.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Four who got suspended sentences for verbally abusing and assaulting two off-duty gardaí are sent to jail after appeal. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to two off-duty gardaí at The Square, Charlestown on June 3 2012. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 3 2012 Incident
- October 31 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-06-25 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to two off-duty gardaí at The Square, Charlestown on June 3 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Barrett, Leonard and Skeffington were each given a three year suspended sentence while Phelan was given a two year suspended sentence by Judge Rory McCabe on October 31 2014. Effectively Phelan, Skeffington and Leonard were given 12 month jail terms while Barrett, the "instigator", according to the court, was jailed for 14 months.
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to two off-duty gardaí at The Square, Charlestown on June 3 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Barrett, Leonard and Skeffington were each given a three year suspended sentence while Phelan was given a two year suspended sentence by Judge Rory McCabe on October 31 2014. Effectively Phelan, Skeffington and Leonard were given 12 month jail terms while Barrett, the "instigator", according to the court, was jailed for 14 months.
Appellant
Charges: assault causing harm to two off-duty gardaí at The Square, Charlestown on June 3 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Barrett, Leonard and Skeffington were each given a three year suspended sentence while Phelan was given a two year suspended sentence by Judge Rory McCabe on October 31 2014. Effectively Phelan, Skeffington and Leonard were given 12 month jail terms while Barrett, the "instigator", according to the court, was jailed for 14 months.
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to two off-duty gardaí at The Square, Charlestown on June 3 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Barrett, Leonard and Skeffington were each given a three year suspended sentence while Phelan was given a two year suspended sentence by Judge Rory McCabe on October 31 2014. Effectively Phelan, Skeffington and Leonard were given 12 month jail terms while Barrett, the "instigator", according to the court, was jailed for 14 months.
Places mentioned
- Humbert Street
- Sligo
- Tower
- Tower Crescent
- Connolly Park
- Charlestown
- Charlestown Road
- Tubbercurry
- Castlebar
- Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- The Square
- Charlestown
Topics
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