Courts / Dublin / Report

'There was a time when people respected the dead and themselves,' judge notes in case of attack on gardai after funeral

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 9 May 2024, Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Lee McDonnell, 32, to two‑and‑a‑half years for affray after he left a bus and joined a mob that attacked two gardaí on Kylemore Road on 20 February 2023. The officers were surrounded, threatened and had objects thrown at them by a large group that had left a funeral. McDonnell, who had 133 prior convictions, was not present when the trouble began but became part of the assault, lunging at the officers and attempting to punch them. He pleaded guilty, apologised and offered no explanation for his involvement. The judge noted the officers' frightening situation, urged McDonnell to take responsibility, and gave credit for time already served in custody.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'There was a time when people respected the dead and themselves,' judge notes in case of attack on gardai after funeral. Charges or matters: a charge of affray. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 20, 2023 Incident
• March 2023 Incident
• 2024-05-09 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report