Courts / Dublin / Report
Father-of-three pointed rifle at man's head and fired shot
Summary
John Joyce Junior, aged 25, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to kill and possession of a firearm. He pointed a rifle at Bernard Joyce's head and fired a shot, after an altercation that began when a car with four men pulled up outside Joyce's house on 16 November 2014. The attackers shouted threats, broke kitchen windows, and Joyce produced the rifle, firing a bullet that passed over Joyce's head. He then left the garden and fired at the next‑door house, home of Joyce's brother. Patrick Joyce, 22, also pleaded guilty to the same charges. Judge Cormac Quinn sentenced Joyce Junior to eight years, suspending the last 18 months, with the sentence back‑dated to March 2016. Patrick Joyce received a four‑year sentence, also with an 18‑month suspension, back‑dated to June 2016. The court noted Joyce Junior's 92 prior convictions and his history of substance abuse.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Father-of-three pointed rifle at man's head and fired shot. Charges or matters: making a threat to kill and to possession of a firearm; the same charges, while their father John Joyce Senior also faced the same charges before his death in custody earlier this year. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 16, 2014 Other
- March 2016 Other
- June 2016 Other
- 2017-10-06 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: making a threat to kill and to possession of a firearm; the same charges, while their father John Joyce Senior also faced the same charges before his death in custody earlier this year (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Defendant
Charges: the same charges, while their father John Joyce Senior also faced the same charges before his death in custody earlier this year (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Sentencing the men today, Judge Cormac Quinn imposed an eight year sentence on John Joyce Jnr but suspended the last 18 months on condition he keep the peace while in custody and after his release. He imposed a four year sentence on Patrick Joyce and suspended the last 18 months.
Places mentioned
- St Joseph's Park
- Dunsink Lane
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- St Mary's Park
- Dunsink Lane
Topics
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