Two men jailed for killing teacher

TWO Clare men were yesterday jailed for “a cowardly and unprovoked attack” that ended the life of a 26-year-old school teacher on St Stephen’s night in Ennis last year.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Carroll Moran imposed a five-year jail term on Harry Dinan, aged 31, of 10 Waterpark Heights, Ennis for the manslaughter of Brian Casey on December 26 last and a four-year term on his nephew, Kevin Dinan, 24, of 3 Clarehill, Clarecastle.

Both had pleaded guilty to Mr Casey’s manslaughter and counsel for the state, Deirdre Murphy SC said that Harry Dinan – who has 64 previous convictions – was on temporary release from prison at the time of the unlawful killing, while Kevin Dinan – who has 17 previous convictions – was on bail and awaiting sentence having pleaded guilty to a burglary charge.

Ms Murphy said that Mr Casey was looking on at a scuffle with his hands in his pockets and caught off guard when hit by Harry Dinan with “a haymaker” at about midnight on St Stephen’s night in O’Connell Square, Ennis.

The blow from Harry Dinan broke Mr Casey’s jaw in two places and the Lissycasey man hit the ground with the back of his head.

Mr Casey never regained consciousness and died two days later.

Mr Casey fractured his skull on impact with the ground and Ms Murphy said that Kevin Dinan then proceeded to hit Mr Casey with four of five punches while he lay prostrate on the ground.

Det Sgt Michael Moloney told the court that Mr Casey was turning around as Harry Dinan punched him after a witness said someone had mistakenly pointed him out to Dinan. Det Sgt Moloney said: “Mr Casey had no warning that the blow was coming.”

Det Sgt Moloney said that Mr Casey’s only action during the scuffle was to pick one of his friends off the ground.

Ms Murphy described the assault by the Dinans on Mr Casey as “a cowardly and unprovoked attack”.

Det Sgt Moloney said that a scuffle had broken out between the Dinans and friends of Brian Casey in O’Connell Square.

The detective said that in an interview, Harry Dinan – a married father-of-two – confirmed that he had boxing training when he was a juvenile.

Det Sgt Moloney said that Mr Casey was a prominent member of Lissycasey football team.

In an interview with gardaí, Harry Dinan apologised for his attack. He said: “I was out of order.”

His counsel, Isobel Kennedy SC said that Harry Dinan had seven pints to drink on the night and that he “is deeply, deeply remorseful”.

Counsel for Kevin Dinan, David Sutton, said that his client was also extremely remorseful.

In sentencing, Judge Carroll Moran said that the Casey family and Mr Casey’s girlfriend, Cecilia Talty, are suffering an appalling loss “because his loss was so unnecessary”.

Judge Moran said that the case “is a one punch case” and there was a lack of premeditation by the Dinans to kill Mr Casey, though they did intend to do him harm.

Judge Moran said that Mr Casey sustained a severe blow from Harry Dinan and the violence used by both Dinans was gratuitous.

Judge Moran said: “Mr Casey had his hands in his pockets and was unable to defend himself.”

Judge Moran said that the multiple punches inflicted by Harry Dinan was a serious aggravating factor.

Judge Moran imposed a five-year term on Harry Dinan with the sentence to commence from September 30.

The judge imposed a four-year jail term on Kevin Dinan on the expiry of his current sentence for burglary in November of next year.

‘My heart aches to have him back in my life’

The Casey family will never get over the loss of their son and brother, Brian, whose “discipline, sacrifice and courage was an inspiration to everyone who knew him”.

Those were the words of Brian’s sister, Martina who spoke at the sentencing hearing into his manslaughter at Ennis Circuit Court.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Casey said: “We have lost our beautiful son, inspiring brother, most loyal friend.

“We are different people now, there’s a part of us missing that can never be replaced. A sense of unbearable sadness and devastation permeates every day.”

She went on: “We are angry that something so devastating could happen without any reason and we simply cannot understand why.

Brian did nothing wrong, was simply a bystander and was attacked without provocation or reason.”

Ms Casey said that “our family will never get over the loss of Brian” and “any sentence imposed will not replace Brian”.

“No matter what we do as a family, there will always be one person missing, each occasion just heightens our sense of loss, any ‘celebration’ will always be tinged with sadness.”

“I look at my parents and can see the unbearable heartache in their faces, the look of sadness that never leaves their eyes.

“Parents should not have to bury their children, especially not their 26-year old son, the light of their lives.

“They have worked all their lives to provide for their children and would do anything for us. Instead of going to a match to watch Brian play, or working with him on the farm or sitting to chat with him, my parents can now only visit his grave every day.

“Brian was a well-educated, hard-working, honest and loyal man, whose loss is devastating to our entire family and friends and our community. All of his hopes and dreams were destroyed in a matter of minutes, our futures ruined forever.

“Not a day goes by that we don’t miss Brian and wonder what he would be doing now if he wasn’t taken away from us. He had so many plans and ambitions.

“Every morning, we wake up and realise again that we’ll never hear his laugh again, or listen to his stories or be able to ask his advice.”

In her victim impact statement, Brian’s girlfriend of 10 years, Cecilia Talty who was with him on the night when he was killed said: “My heart aches to have him back in my life and feel his comforting voice and love.”

“I no longer have anyone to share my day with, my dreams, my worries and my happy times.

“Brian was my life, my soul, my confidante and my best friend. I miss him every minute of the day. After 10 years of being together, he knew me better than I knew myself. We had so many plans for the future and we were looking forward to a long life. My life has been torn apart.

“Due to malicious actions, Brian will not be able to live the life that he deserved.”

Ms Talty said that she is dreading Christmas “as there is one very special loved one who will not be returning home to us ever again”.

“I feel I am not the person I used to be and I will never be able to erase the memories of that night when my life was turned upside down.”