Dublin, Ireland – Two men have been sentenced to jail for their involvement in a brutal assault on twin American tourists in Temple Bar last year. The violent attack left the 20-year-old brothers with injuries and without their belongings, highlighting the dangers tourists may face while exploring the popular area of Dublin.
Cian Cleary, 23, and Patrick McCarthy, 28, have been held accountable for their actions, with Cleary receiving a sentence of two and a half years for assault causing harm and robbery, while McCarthy was sentenced to 18 months for assault causing harm. The severity of the attack was captured on CCTV footage and presented in court, providing undeniable evidence of the vicious nature of the assault.
Both Cleary and McCarthy have a history of criminal behavior, with Cleary having 61 past convictions and McCarthy with 18. The court heard how the brothers were targeted by Cleary in an unprovoked attack, before McCarthy and Cleary proceeded to further assault the twins, stealing their belongings in the process. The level of violence displayed in the assault was acknowledged by the presiding judge, Elva Duffy, as she handed down the sentences.
Despite the absence of victim impact statements in court, Judge Duffy highlighted the physical and emotional toll the assault had on the young men. One of the brothers required medical attention for a head injury, while the other was left shaken by the traumatic experience. The judge emphasized the gravity of the situation by sentencing Cleary to three years and three months, with the final nine months suspended, and McCarthy to two and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended.
In their defense, Cleary’s lawyer mentioned his client’s troubled background and history with substance abuse, while McCarthy’s lawyer emphasized his client’s education and aspirations for a future in construction. Judge Duffy issued a stern warning to both men, emphasizing that any violation of their probation terms would result in the immediate enforcement of the suspended portion of their sentences.
The case serves as a sobering reminder of the prevalence of senseless violence and the importance of holding offenders accountable for their actions, particularly when it involves targeting unsuspecting individuals in a popular tourist area like Temple Bar.