Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Kevin Cox of Castleland Court, Balbriggan, Dublin pleaded guilty to a single count of violent disorder
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Kevin Cox of Castleland Court, Balbriggan, Dublin pleaded guilty to a single count of violent disorderA man has been jailed for two and a half years for his role as the instigator of a violent disorder, which took place in Balbriggan.
, Dublin pleaded guilty to a single count of violent disorder which took place on Drogheda Street, Balbriggan, Dublin on March 31, 2024.clearly sets out the role of this accused and it demonstrates the aggressive violence carried out by Cox.
"It is clear he is the instigator on the night," she said. The judge said Cox was 46 years old at the time, and it was the court's view he was old enough to know better. She noted the aggravating factors were the seriousness of the offending, that he has some similar previous conviction from 2002 and the repeated nature of kicking people on the ground. Judge Sheahan set a headline sentence of six years.
In mitigation, she noted Cox’s guilty plea, his remorse, apology and the fact that he has not come toattention since this incident and for some years before it. Cox had €4,000 in court as a token of his remorse. Judge Sheahan sentenced him to four years in prison, noting that having viewed the CCTV footage, the custodial threshold had been crossed. She suspended the final 18 months for 18 months under strict conditions.
Garda Joanne McGinn told Sarah Connolly BL, prosecuting, that on the night in question, two men arrived at a taxi rank in Balbriggan and engaged in a conversation with three women. A few minutes later, Cox and a co-accused approached the two men and gestured for them to move away from the women, with a verbal altercation taking place. The incident escalated when Cox pushed and then struck one of the men a number of times.
The fight was briefly broken up by the co-accused, but Cox again struck the man, who fell to the ground. While he was trying to get up, he was kicked in the face by Cox. The second man was punched by the co-accused and was then kicked in the face twice while he was on the ground by Cox. Both Cox and the co-accused then left the area.
The court was told that approximately 15 minutes after this incident, the two injured parties were assaulted by a second group of individuals and sustained extensive injuries. The first injured party suffered pain and bruising to the head and face and suffers from ongoing headaches and impaired vision. The second injured party suffered a full knee dislocation, fractures to his fibula and tibia, along with multiple tears to his knee ligaments.
Victim impact statements were handed into the court on behalf of both men, who were out of work for a period of time and were unable to send money home to support their families. CCTV footage of the incident was played to the court. Cox has 16 previous convictions, most of which are from the District Court. Some of his convictions are of a similar nature.
The court was told that his co-accused was dealt with in the District Court, resulting in a fine of €350. Garda McGinn agreed with Miceál O’Connor BL, defending, that most of his client's previous convictions were historic and his last conviction dated back to 2005. The garda also agreed that Cox had not come to any garda attention since this offence.
The garda agreed with counsel that the more extensive injuries were inflicted by the second group who attacked the men. Mr O’Connor said Cox is "totally apologetic" for what happened on the night in question. He said his client instructed that he had been out drinking and bumped into the co-accused, and they continued to drink.
Counsel said Cox is "appalled" by his behaviour and that up until then he had stayed out of trouble for 25 years and had no addiction issues during this time. The court heard that Cox has a good employment history but is currently unemployed.
Please follow us on Google to support usIreland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Leaving Cert, Irish Times, Irish Olympic runner, Guns N’ Roses, World Cup Group JThe text discusses various topics such as the annual fixation on the Leaving Cert, the target audience for unsolicited advice, the death of an Irish Olympic runner, the absence of new songs from Guns N’ Roses, and the World Cup Group J guide.
Read more »
Dublin police seize €830,000 worth of drugs, €117,000 in cash, arrest man in 20sDublin police have seized €830,000 worth of drugs, €117,000 in cash, and arrested a man in his 20s in connection with an organised crime gang. The drugs included suspected diamorphine worth more than €659,000 and suspected cannabis worth more than €114,000.
Read more »
Berlusconi children succeed in Dublin court application tied to Italian bankJudge gives permission to Silvio Berlusconi’s eldest children to bring late notification to Central Bank over acquisition of a large shareholding in Banca Mediolanum
Read more »
ECB hikes rates, Intel's Irish revival, mortgage trends, and other Irish newsEuropean Central Bank raises interest rates for the first time since 2023; Intel's operations in Leixlip show strong recovery; first-time buyer mortgage activity reaches 18-year high; plus stories on income inequality, Brexit, and a legal case.
Read more »