Sentences passed in Tallaght riots trial
A case of mistaken identity which sparked a “riot” in a Tallaght housing estate has lead to prison terms and suspended sentences being imposed on a group of young men.
A house in the Castle Park estate was the focus of a “terrifying” attack by up to 30 people with a variety of weapons including a wheel brace, a kitchen knife, a table leg, a screwdriver and baton.
Brothers Brian (aged 34), Colm (aged 31) and Niall Byrne (aged 19), all of Castle Park, Tallaght; Stuart Douglas (aged 21), of St Aongus Lawns, Tallaght; Craig Lacken (aged 23), of Hillview Estate, Dundrum; and Steven Byrne (aged 22), of Castletymon Court, Tallaght pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Castle Park on February 4, 2006.
Judge Katherine Delahunt at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court said serious injuries had been sustained by two men, one who suffered a broken arm and two stab wounds and another received 12 stiches.
Judge Delahunt said “the riotous behaviour was very violent and took place on a street where other people were living and must have been terrifying.”
She imposed a term of one year imprisonment on Brian and Colm Byrne and a nine month suspended sentence on Steven Byrne and Lacken and ordered them to pay €2,000 each to the homeowner.
Judge Delahunt adjourned the sentencing of Douglas until July 17 when he is to be sentenced on a similar matter he committed a year later.
She also adjourned the sentencing of Niall Byrne who is to be sentenced in October for an aggravated burglary and assault which he committed while on bail for this offence.
Garda Damien Broughall told prosecuting counsel, Ms Elva Duffy BL, that gardai were called in the early hours of the morning to two separate incidents about 45 minutes apart at a house in Castle Park.
Garda Broughall said in the first incident the door of the house, belonging to Mrs Noleen Finn, had been broken down and in the second incident gardai came upon “close to 30 people” fighting and throwing items outside the house who ran away as gardai approached.
He said Mr Martin Finn, son of the homeowner, had arrived at the scene before the gardai following a phone call from his mother about the first incident. He was able to identify the Byrne brothers and said he was showered with bricks when he got out of his car. He later received 12 stitches.
Witnesses described a group of 20 or more men kicking and throwing bricks at the front door and windows, smashing cars and verbally abusing Mr Finn’s mother.
Garda Broughall said Mr Finn’s brother in law, Mr Richard Dowling, was knocked to the ground and stabbed by an unidentified person as he crawled under a truck for safety. Mr Dowling was later taken to hospital where he was treated for a broken arm and two stab wounds to his back.
Linda Finn, sister of Mr Finn, said she heard a man say “I am going to burn your mum in her bed”. Another witness heard men shouting “get Finner” which she took to mean Martin Finn.
Gardaí collected a number of potential weapons strewn around the garden and house after the incident. These included a wheel brace, a kitchen knife, a table leg, a screwdriver, a baton and a knife. A car stolen from the scene was found an hour later.
Garda Broughall agreed in cross examination by Mr Raymond Farrell BL, defending Douglas, that Mr Finn had gone to the house of a neighbour after the first incident with a hammer and mistakenly accused them of being involved in kicking in his mother’s door.
He also agreed that Mr Finn realised his mistake and left but this man went to “the 30 acres” where young people habitually gathered and told a group what had happened to him.
Garda Broughall agreed also that Mr Finn and some relatives arrived at the “30 acres”, which was adjacent to his mother’s house, in two cars one of which allegedly struck Douglas on the leg as it pulled up and then the second, more serious, incident of disorder then began.
The men fled from the scene across “the 30 acres” when gardai arrived but a number who were identified were later interviewed.
The Byrne brothers admitted being present but said they did not injure anybody. Brian Byrne said they had been attacked by Mr Finn who he claimed jumped out of his car wielding a pole, and said a “free for all” broke out.
Douglas and Lacken later made voluntary statements to gardai. Steven Byrne admitted a level of involvement but denied being an aggressor.
Garda Broughall said Brian Byrne had 12 previous convictions; Colm Byrne had 18; Niall Byrne had nine; Lacken had four; Steven Byrne had three and Douglas had no previous convictions.
Mr Bernard Condon BL, defending Brian Byrne, said his client admitted taking part in some fighting with Mr Finn and throwing items at the house. He said this occurred after a car “flew up the road and hit a group of lads” including his younger brother.
Mr Condon said Byrne was addressing his drug problem but had been drunk on the night.
Mr James Dwyer BL, defending Colm Byrne, said a witness described his client “calling off the lads” at the end of the fight. He said Byrne was a father of two who had addressed his drug problem and now worked part time as a courier.
Mr Kieran Kelly BL, defending Niall Byrne, said his client was the youngest of the group, regretted his involvement and wished to apologise. He said he had some addiction problems in the past but was now “clean”.
Mr Farrell, defending Douglas, said his client had no drink or drug problems and there was no evidence he was armed on the night. He said Douglas had no previous convictions and asked the court to take into consideration his previous good character.
Mr David Whelehan BL defending Lacken, said he “wished to apologise in a forthright manner” and admitted throwing back items that were thrown at him. He said Lacken, a father of two working as an apprentice bricklayer, was “very remorseful”.
Mr Shane Costelloe BL, defending Steven Byrne, said his client had gone voluntarily to the garda station and made a full statement. He had been drinking on the night and wished to apologise for his behaviour.
