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Seven children now 'without their fathers' after fatal street fight
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Judge Mary Ellen Ring sentenced Andrew Lacey, 35, to seven years and six months' imprisonment, with an 18‑month suspended portion, for the fatal stabbing of Derek Reddin, 31, on 14 October 2019. Lacey, a long‑time parks officer, was found guilty of manslaughter after a jury acquitted him of murder. The judge noted that Lacey's knife was used after Reddin attacked him with a baseball bat, and that Lacey's initial denial of the knife's ownership indicated an attempt to evade responsibility. The sentence was reduced from an initial eight years and six months due to mitigating circumstances, and the suspended period is conditional on good behaviour for three years. The ruling highlighted that seven children are now father‑less, two permanently and five temporarily, as a consequence of the incident. The sentence was back‑dated to 15 June to account for time already served. Andrew Lacey pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Seven children now 'without their fathers' after fatal street fight. Charges or matters: the murder of Derek Reddin (31) at Loughlinstown Drive on a date unknown between October 14 and October 15, 2019, both dates inclusive. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 14, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 14 Other
- October 15, 2019 Other
- June 15 Other
- 2023-07-28 Publication
Why: She said the only reason for the suspension is the difficulties Lacey's children will face in the absence of their father "during critical years of their development". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the murder of Derek Reddin (31) at Loughlinstown Drive on a date unknown between October 14 and October 15, 2019, both dates inclusive (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: She found the use of the knife to be an aggravating factor and found that his initial denial to gardai at the scene that the knife belonged to him showed that he "realised he had gone beyond reasonable self defence and wished to absolve himself of all responsibility for the death of Mr Reddin." Lacey entered a bond of €100 to be of good behaviour when he is released, having served his six-year sentence. Ms Justice Ring also backdated the sentence to June 15 last to take account of time Lacey already served in custody.
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