Courts / Westmeath / Report

15-year sentence upheld for attack where victim was 'basically incinerated'

Date
2023-01-30

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Mullingar

Summary

Shaun Groome's appeal against his 15-year sentence for assault causing serious harm has been dismissed. In December 2021, Groome pleaded guilty to the 2015 attack on Ciarán Murphy at Coolcor, Co Offaly, where Murphy was stabbed 16 times and set alight, suffering burns to 96% of his body and losing his ears. The trial judge, Judge Martin Nolan, described the violence as exceptional and noted Groome's murderous intent, reducing a 20-year headline sentence to 15 years without a suspended portion. Groome's counsel argued the plea discount was insufficient, citing mitigating factors including remorse and addiction. However, the Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, rejected this, noting the plea was entered only after Groome was extradited from the UK. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy stated the sentence was within the margin for exceptional cases and the discount was appropriate. Groome's co-accused, David Keena, who was 17 at the time, was jailed for five years in October 2020 for his role in the attack, which involved providing petrol. The court upheld the original sentencing, finding the trial judge correctly weighed the mitigating circumstances against the severity of the injuries.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 15-year sentence upheld for attack where victim was 'basically incinerated'. Charges or matters: one count of assault causing serious harm to Mr Murphy at Coolcor, Rhode, Co Offaly between September 6 and 7, 2015. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

December 2021 Incident
September 6 Incident
October 2020 Incident
2023-01-30 Publication

Case subjects

David Keena

Convicted Person

Outcome: David Keena, of Carrig Mor, Ballynacargy, Mullingar, who was 17 at the time of the offence, was jailed in October 2020 for five years for his role in the attack.

Shaun Groome

Convicted Person

Charges: one count of assault causing serious harm to Mr Murphy at Coolcor, Rhode, Co Offaly between September 6 and 7, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Shaun Groome was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the attack, with the court hearing that Groome told gardai he had not been happy with the victim's response to the death of a close friend of his.