A key player in a dangerous attack and kidnapping of a vagrant has received a three-year incarceration. Wade O’Brien, a 32 year old from Park Na Sillogue, Enniskerry, Wicklow, confessed his involvement in a violent dispute that took place in Rathsallagh Park, at Shankill, on 5th April 2021, at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court was informed that the State accepted O’Brien’s plea, which was based on the complete details of the case.
O’Brien’s criminal record reveals 172 prior convictions, spanning over 42 incidents involving violations of road traffic rules, drug-related offences, theft, and public disorder incidents.
Police Officer Declan Hartley informed the prosecutor, Michael Hourigan BL, that the victim emerged at an unknown person’s house on the incident day, just after half past nine in the morning, visibly wounded. A female occupant of the house brought him inside and informed the police.
Upon their arrival, the officers found the victim, who was homeless, badly bruised and bleeding extensively. Unable to stand, an ambulance was called to attend to him. He was later treated for a broken wrist and multiple bruises and lacerations.
He revealed to the police that he was attacked by four men at his friend’s house in Shankill. These men forced him into a car boot before abandoning him in the location where the police found him. Despite this revelation, the victim further refrained from participating in the investigation and did not provide avictim impact statement.
Judge Pauline Codd viewed the CCTV footage of the appalling incident in which four men were seen entering the house in Shikill, with O’Brien being the last one. A car was subsequently spotted pulling up to the house with its boot open, after which the victim was forcefully stashed into it.
The judge remarked on the CCTV footage, stating it was evident that O’Brien played a pivotal part in the gruesome event. Judge Codd noted O’Brien ruthlessly striking the victim with a baseball bat, adding that the crime was carefully pre-planned, evident from the car arrives at the scene with its boot already open.
Feargal Kavanagh SC, in his defense argument, explained that his client and the victim shared a friendly rapport earlier. He had even provided him with a place to stay. However, Judge Codd interjected a common expression, “With friends like that, who…” disrupting Kavanagh’s argument.
According to Kavanagh, a fallout over a car dispute led to the assault. His client was audacious enough to believe he could avoid the situation as the victim chose not to bear witness during the trial.
In response, Judge Codd initially proposed a five-year sentence. Taking into account O’Brien’s good behaviour since the incident occurred, she then revised it to a four-year imprisonment. The final year of the judgment was suspended given that he complied with stringent conditions, namely, remaining sober throughout the term.