The Court of Appeal has increased the sentence imposed on Darragh McLoughlin for a prolonged assault in Cork city in which more than 250 blows were inflicted on another man.
McLoughlin had pleaded guilty to robbery and assault causing serious harm following the incident in the early hours of October 18, 2022. He was originally sentenced in May 2024 to six and a half years in prison, with the final two and a half years suspended, leaving four years to be served in custody.
The Director of Public Prosecutions challenged that sentence as unduly lenient.
The assault began after an altercation outside the Secret Garden Nightclub on Hanover Street. McLoughlin later pursued the injured man through Cork city centre. CCTV showed further fighting before McLoughlin followed him onto Paul Street, forced him to the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked him.
The court said the assault lasted about 20 minutes. McLoughlin took the injured man’s phone and used it to record part of the attack, including 14 kicks to his head. Passersby pleaded with him to stop. He left briefly before returning and continuing the assault until gardaí arrived.
The injured man suffered multiple facial fractures, including fractures around his right eye and nose. He later experienced double vision and permanent changes to his facial appearance.
The Court of Appeal found McLoughlin’s culpability extremely high. It rejected the DPP’s argument that the offending belonged in the exceptional category carrying a headline sentence above 15 years, but held that the original 10-year starting point was too low. It fixed the appropriate headline sentence at 12 and a half years.
After allowing four years and four months for mitigation, including McLoughlin’s early guilty plea, lack of previous convictions, remorse and personal circumstances, the court arrived at eight years and two months. It suspended the final two years and two months to support continued rehabilitation, leaving six years to be served in custody.