Courts / Dublin / Report
Gaisce Award recipient has hammer attack sentence suspended on appeal
Summary
David Emerson, 31, received a Gaisce Award from President Michael D. Higgins two weeks before he was jailed for a hammer assault. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a man at Kilshane Cross, Finglas, on 21 June 2012. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to 16 months imprisonment on 12 July 2013, but he was granted bail pending appeal. On appeal, the Court of Appeal held that Emerson had turned his life around to such a significant extent that the Circuit Court judge erred in ruling out suspending part of his sentence. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan re‑sentenced him to two years imprisonment, with the two years suspended, and required a two‑year good‑behaviour bond. Emerson was praised for his transformation, his engagement with the Fr Peter McVerry Trust, and his receipt of the Gaisce award.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Gaisce Award recipient has hammer attack sentence suspended on appeal. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to a man at Kilshane Cross, Finglas on June 21, 2012. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 21, 2012 Incident
- July 12, 2013 Incident
- 2016-03-03 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: assault causing harm to a man at Kilshane Cross, Finglas on June 21, 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan on July 12, 2013 but was subsequently granted bail pending an appeal. Emerson successfully appealed against the severity of his sentence today, with the Court of Appeal holding that he had turned his life around to such a significant extent that the Circuit Court judge erred in ruling out suspending a part of his sentence.
Appellant
Charges: assault causing harm to a man at Kilshane Cross, Finglas on June 21, 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
- Dromheath Drive
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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