FOUR men involved in a violent confrontation at family home in Shannon two years ago “behaved like a lynch mob from the days of Wild West”, a Judge has said.
Judge Gerald Keys told Daniel Larkin, Jake Egan, Shane O’Connor and Gearoid Condron that it was patently clear they were “fueled by alcohol” and out of control when they arrived for a planned confrontation at the Murphy household in the early hours of January 1, 2012.
All four received two year suspended sentences and were ordered to pay compensation to the victims. The judge also told the men that they should apologise to their parents immediately after the hearing for the grief they had caused them.
Grandfather Michael Murphy (45) suffered cuts to his face, lip and knee during the incident at the Cluain Alainn estate in Shannon at around 4.30am
Mr Murphy and his then 19-yearold son Kieran had to run a “gauntlet” of kicks and punches during the ordeal, the court heard.
Four people appeared before Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Friday to be sentenced having pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Schoolmates Daniel Larkin (22), from Mount Ivers, Sixmilebridge, Jake Egan (22), from Aidan Park, Shannon, Shane O’Connor (23), from Ballycasey Manor, Shannon and Gearoid Condron (22) from Drumline, Newmarket on Fergus, were among a large gang of people that traveled in cars from Shannon and Ennis to the quiet residential area near Hurler’s Cross.
Mr Murphy, his wife, son, daughter and young granddaughter were in the house at the time.
Details of the incident were first heard at the Circuit Court in March. At the time Garda Colm Moriarty told the court that at one point a person, not one of the four men before the court, threatened to burn down the house.
When Mr Murphy Snr pleaded that there was a young child in the house, the reply from the person was “F*** the kids”.
Garda Moriarty said Daniel Larkin organised people to go to the Murphy home to confront Kieran Murphy.
He said Mr Larkin alleged that he had been “jumped” by Kieran Murphy in Shannon at around 1.30am that night.
Judge Keys adjourned sentencing to allow the men time to pay compensation to he victim.
He ordered each man to pay Mr Murphy € 2000. Counsel for Mr Larkin, Michael Collins said his client had the money in court.
Counsel for Jake Egan, Lorcan Connolly, said his client had € 250 in court but had set up a standing order to pay Mr Murphy € 50 a week.
Defence Counsel Elaine Houlihan said her client Gearoid Condron had brought € 2000 to court.
Counsel for Shane O’Connor, Pat Whyms, said his client would pay a sum of € 50 a week when he begins employment in June.
All four men expressed remorse through their barristers for their actions on the night.
Judge Keys said all four men were equally responsible for their “very, very wrongful acts”.
Addressing the accused, Judge Keys said, “You behaved like a lynch mob from the days of the Wild West”.
He told them they had taken the law into their own hands because of some perceived slight.
Judge Keys said behaviour of this kind would not be tolerated by the court.
He said the court is frequently being forced to deal with violent cases that arise from a “macho type of attitude”.
Judge Keys told the accused that despite the opportunities afforded to them by their backgrounds and education, they had behaved in an “appalling” manner.
He said it was clear alcohol had an effect them and he urged them to moderate or abstain completely from drink.
Noting the men’s good previous records, Judge Keys imposed a twoyear sentence on each accused.
He suspended the sentences on condition each man pay compensation within two years; refrain from contact with the Murphy family and not be found intoxicated in public places or licensed premises.
Addressing the four men as they stood with heads bowed in the dock, Judge Keys said, “When you leave this courthouse, the first thing you should do is apologise to your par ents for the grief you have caused.”