News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

Mr Mahon, who has served in the Irish Defence Forces for 31 years, read an emotionally charged victim impact statement saying he had never witnessed such an attack before, despite serving during the Troubles and in Lebanon.

Garda John Griffin told the court that the couple were on their way home from a night out at around 2am when they heard Kelly, Condon and a third man, shouting abuse and gesturing at them from across the road.

Mr Mahon approached them and asked them why they were saying things about his wife.

He told Gardai that the next thing he knew he was on the ground and receiving "kicks and digs" in the head and ribs.

He looked across to his wife and saw that she was on the ground and that Michelle Kelly was kicking her in the face. He then saw Condon kicking his wife and punching her.

In his victim impact statement, he said that attack had left him and his wife "scarred".

Watching his wife being punched and kicked with "so much ferocity" while he lay on the ground unable to get to her will haunt him for the rest of his life, Mr Mahon said.

They couple received a three-year suspended sentence.
(Source: The Evening Herald)

----------------------

READ MORE:

Former Irish leader made all decisions in a pub as economy collapsed

Irish pubs in crisis as one in eight have now closed down

Top ten locations for that perfect Irish wedding

----------------------

Fermanagh

A man from County Fermanagh who was sexually abused by four brothers has spoken publicly for the first time.

Michael Connolly grew up in the village of Donagh and was targeted and abused by the McDermott brothers.

He has waived his right to anonymity to help other victims and to demand a change in the law.

Earlier this week, one of the McDermott brothers had his prison term extended by six months for abusing another schoolboy.

Six survivors who went to court last year have been presented with a community award by Stormont for helping to bring the brothers to justice - ending generations of abuse.

Johnny McDermott was jailed for nine years after admitting 35 counts of sexually abusing young boys and girls. His sentence was extended by six months earlier this week.

Peter Paul McDermott hanged himself the day after his trial started last year.

The case made headlines when two other brothers, Jimmy and Owen Roe, were found mentally unfit to stand trial.

The judge placed them on a two-year supervision and treatment order and allowed them to return to their home near a playground and a school.

Following a public outcry the two brothers admitted themselves voluntarily to hospital where they remain.

​
Nster.com