Courts / Tipperary / Report

Man jailed for life for murdering his friend with "Bruce Lee" punches

Date
2014-02-28

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Clonmel

Summary

John Hannigan, 46, of River House, New Quay, Clonmel, was found guilty of murder and assault causing harm to Anthony Fallon, also 46, on 18 January 2012. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, lasted eight days. Hannigan claimed he had lost his temper when Fallon would not stop talking and punched him "hard and fast" like Bruce Lee. A post‑mortem revealed 31 rib fractures, collar and breastbone fractures, and blunt force trauma to the head and trunk as the cause of death. Hannigan had called an ambulance before 7 a.m. and later admitted responsibility to the Gardaí. The jury, after four hours of deliberation, returned a unanimous verdict of murder and assault. Judge Paul Carney imposed a mandatory life sentence, remanding Hannigan in custody until 12 May for sentencing on the assault charge. John Hannigan pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man jailed for life for murdering his friend with "Bruce Lee" punches. Charges or matters: murdering Anthony Fallon, also a father of two, in Clonmel on January 18, 2012; assault causing harm to the 46 year-old on the same date at Mr Fallon's flat on Abbey Street in the town; assaulting him. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

January 18, 2012 Incident
May 12th Adjournment
2014-02-28 Publication

Why: A Tipperary father-of-two has been jailed for life for murdering his friend with what he described as 'Bruce Lee' punches because the victim 'wouldn't shut up'. CNI source report

Case subjects

John Hannigan

Defendant

Charges: murdering Anthony Fallon, also a father of two, in Clonmel on January 18, 2012; assault causing harm to the 46 year-old on the same date at Mr Fallon's flat on Abbey Street in the town; assaulting him (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; She said the family could not forgive either man. "We hope that every time Joey O'Riordan and John Hannigan close their eyes, that their guilt reminds them of their horrifying, appalling and shameful actions," she said. "No sentence served or justice given will ever replace or bring our loving Anthony back." Both family members of the deceased and the accused sobbed as Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed the mandatory life sentence on Hannigan. He remanded him in custody until May 12th, when he will be sentenced for the assault.; He remanded him in custody until May 12th, when he will be sentenced for the assault.