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Offender who was on temporary release when he took part in 'disgusting' assault gets five years
Summary
An offender who was on temporary release when he took part in an assault that left the victim with a serious brain injury has been jailed for five years. John Connors (28) of Upper Rathmines Road, Rathmines Co Dublin, pleaded guilty on a trial date to assault causing serious harm to Christopher McDonagh on January 24, 2021. His co-accused, Michael Joyce (28), was previously sentenced to seven and a half years in May 2022. The court heard that gardai arrived at an apartment complex and found Joyce and Connors heading upstairs with blood on Joyce's hands and a cut to his forehead. Inside the apartment, two fire extinguishers and bloodstains were found. Mr McDonagh was discovered in the back garden with a serious head injury and lost 11 teeth. Connors was arrested but initially deemed unfit for interview due to intoxication. He was eventually interviewed four times and commented that the video footage of the assault was 'disgusting'.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Offender who was on temporary release when he took part in 'disgusting' assault gets five years. Charges or matters: one count of assault causing serious harm and was sentenced to seven and a half years in May 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 24, 2021 Incident
- May 2022 Incident
- April 2025 Other
- 2025-11-18 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: one count of assault causing serious harm and was sentenced to seven and a half years in May 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The judge handed down a sentence of five years backdated to April 2025, when Connors went into custody after a bench warrant was executed. He declined to suspend any portion of a sentence, adding that Connors "has been through the criminal process and knows if he reoffends, there is only one outcome for him".
Background Person
Charges: one count of assault causing serious harm and was sentenced to seven and a half years in May 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Having considered the mitigation, the judge said a custodial sentence had to be imposed, but it should be less than that imposed on Joyce.
Places mentioned
- Upper Rathmines Road
- Dublin
- Brega Hamlet Lane
- Balbriggan
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Upper Rathmines Road
- Beaumont Hospital
Topics
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