Derek Whelan jailed for assault causing harm in Clondalkin

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Derek Whelan was jailed for assault causing harm at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with a four-and-a-half-year sentence and the final 18 months suspended, as reported on 18 October 2018. The assault happened at Neilstown shopping centre in Clondalkin, Dublin, where Whelan was one of three men who attacked David Gaynor. The court heard that Gaynor was beaten and kicked after being knocked down, and that a golf club was used during the attack. He lost consciousness and suffered facial fractures and cuts requiring stitches. Whelan had pleaded guilty to the offence and was ordered to complete anger management and victim awareness programmes during the suspended period.

Judge Melanie Greally noted that Whelan had been abusing cocaine at the time, but had taken steps to address his addiction. He had offered compensation to Gaynor, which was declined, and had no previous convictions for violent offending.