Michael Farrell loses appeal over assault and threat sentence

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Michael Farrell’s appeal against his sentence for assault and threatening to kill was rejected by the Court of Appeal on 17 July 2024.

Farrell pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm, one count of threatening to kill or cause serious harm, and one count of possessing a realistic imitation firearm. The sentencing proceedings were reported on 14 December 2023.

On 14 December 2023, Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced Farrell at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to six years in prison, with the final six months suspended. She also ordered him to comply with all directions from the Probation Services on his release.

The appeal court rejected his argument that the sentencing judge had given inadequate weight to his personal circumstances, including a serious brain injury sustained in childhood.

In explaining the decision, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy noted the seriousness of the threat to a garda and the injuries suffered by two prison officers in the assaults.