Courts / Dublin / Report
Five years for man who killed pensioner with 'MMA' back spin kick
Summary
A man who killed a pensioner with an MMA-style back spin kick has been jailed for five years. Joshua Rush (25) pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Charles McCaughley (69) at Fairview Strand, Dublin 3 on June 7, 2021. The court heard that Rush delivered a deliberate kick to the victim, who later died from a traumatic brain injury. Judge Martina Baxter described the attack as unprovoked and called Rush's actions callous. She sentenced him to six-and-a-half years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended on conditions. Rush expressed genuine remorse and has no previous convictions. His sister, the victim's closest relative, did not want to see anyone jailed for his death. Rush's defence highlighted his difficult family background and mental health issues, asking the court to consider his culpability as low.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Five years for man who killed pensioner with 'MMA' back spin kick. Charges or matters: the manslaughter of Charles McCaughley (69) at Fairview Strand, Fairview, Dublin 3 on June 7, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 7, 2021 Incident
- June 26, 2021 Other
- 2026-05-05 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the manslaughter of Charles McCaughley (69) at Fairview Strand, Fairview, Dublin 3 on June 7, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) By Isabel Hayes and Eimear Dodd A then-21-year-old who hit a pensioner with an MMA-style kick, causing him to fall to the ground and suffer a fatal head injury, has been jailed for five years. Judge Baxter sentenced Rush to six-and-a-half years' imprisonment, but suspended the final 18 months on a number of conditions, including that he remain under the supervision of the Probation Service for 18 months upon his release.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Man who raped and abused younger cousin as a teenager 40 years ago is jailed
- Woman fears abusive ex-partner's 'next victim may not survive', court hears
- Young man who killed pensioner with 'MMA' back spin kick remanded in custody
- Young man killed pensioner with 'back spin kick like MMA'
- Man who attacked and threatened pregnant partner is jailed for two years
- Man with 'troubled background' admits to unlawful killing
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request