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Retired firefighter avoids jail for violent disorder in which cousin died
Summary
David Howard, a retired firefighter from Dun Laoghaire, pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder arising from an incident on October 15, 2019, at Loughlinstown Drive, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin. The matter was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the prosecution alleged Howard engaged in a "boxing match" with a third party during an altercation in which his cousin, Derek Reddin, was fatally stabbed by Andrew Lacey. Lacey was previously found guilty of manslaughter, and the Court of Appeal recently quashed his original sentence of seven and a half years with 18 months suspended, imposing a new term of six years and nine months. In Howard's case, the court accepted he had no previous convictions, acted as a central witness in Lacey's trial, and attempted to provide first aid to the deceased. Judge Martin Nolan described the incident as unfortunate, noting Howard's limited involvement and good behavior afterward. He imposed a nine-month sentence suspended on strict conditions, determining that Howard did not deserve a prison term.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Retired firefighter avoids jail for violent disorder in which cousin died. Charges or matters: a charge of violent disorder on October 15, 2019 at Loughlinstown Drive, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- October 15, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-03-04 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: a charge of violent disorder on October 15, 2019 at Loughlinstown Drive, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Last week, the Court of Appeal imposed a sentence of six years and nine months on Lacey, having quashed the original sentence of seven and a half years with 18 months suspended on the basis of undue leniency. He imposed a nine-month sentence suspended on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Clonkeen Crescent
- Dublin
- Loughlinstown Drive
- Co Dublin. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Dublin
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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