Jail over ‘horrific’ assault

A 29-YEAR-OLD Co Corkman who travelled to Killarney for a Christmas staff party was subjected to such a “horrific” attack that he had to learn to speak and walk again, the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee has heard.

Graham Geasley was in a coma for 10 days, Judge Carroll Moran was told.

Judge Moran described the injuries as horrific.

A four-year jail sentence was imposed on Shane O’Riordan, 18, of 26 Arbutus Grove, Killarney, who admitted assault causing harm to Mr Geasley on December 16, 2006.

A concerned citizen found Mr Geasley lying in a laneway near the Brooklodge Hotel, off High Street, choking and vomiting blood, at about 3.30am.

He had been beaten and kicked, and as a result spent two months in hospital.

Garda Mark Bolger said Mr Geasley had come to Killarney with work colleagues from Macroom for their Christmas party.

He had left his baggage in his car and was trying to retrieve it to get to his accommodation, but had become confused and had gone down the wrong laneway.

O’Riordan had been drinking with a group of four in the laneway, including two underage females.

Garda Bolger said all of the group had kicked Mr Geasley, but O’Riordan kicked him in the ribs and punched him in the face.

The court was told O’Riordan had a number of convictions, including assault, was serving prison sentences, and was not due for release until October 2009.