Courts / Dublin / Report
State applies to have taekwando fighter's 2.5 year jail sentence increased for pub toilet attack
Summary
The State has applied to the Court of Appeal to increase the 2½‑year jail sentence imposed on Jason Owens, a former Irish taekwondo international, for striking Conor Kelly in a pub toilet on New Year's Day 2020. Owens pleaded guilty in June 2023, and Judge Martin Nolan had sentenced him to 3½ years with the final 12 months suspended. The State argues the headline sentence of seven years was too low and that the 50 % reduction for mitigating factors was unduly lenient, citing Owens' late guilty plea, lack of prior convictions and a letter of apology. The Court of Appeal, hearing evidence of the assault, the serious head injury sustained by Kelly, and mitigating circumstances such as Owens' remorse and psychological issues, has adjourned the decision to 9 April 2024. The case remains at the appeal stage, with no final judgment yet issued.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: State applies to have taekwando fighter's 2.5 year jail sentence increased for pub toilet attack. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 20, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 9 Adjournment
- February 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- New Year's Day 2020 Other
- 2024-03-19 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Owens to three-and-a-half years with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. At the Court of Appeal today Maddie Grant BL, for the State, said the sentencing judge had identified a pre-mitigation headline sentence of seven years before sentencing Owens to two-and-a-half years' imprisonment.; Mr Justice Birmingham said the court would reserve its judgement in the "very serious" matter and adjourned the application to April 9, for decision. ***** The sentencing court heard that the injured party was on a night out with friends when he encountered Owens in the toilets of the pub.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Beaumont Hospital
- National Rehabilitation Hospital
Topics
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