Man apologises for bid to attack killer in court

A DUBLIN man apologised to a judge at the Central Criminal Court yesterday after trying to attack the man who killed his brother last year.

Daniel McCormack, aged 23, of Kenure Park, Rush, was convicted by a jury on Tuesday of the manslaughter of James Joyce, 20, of St Cronan’s Close, Swords, on July 22 last year.

He had denied murdering Mr Joyce.

As the verdict was read out, Mr Joyce’s brother, Patrick Joyce, charged at McCormack and tried to attack him.

After being restrained by a number of gardaí and prison officers he shouted abuse at Mr Justice Paul Carney, who ordered that Mr Joyce be remanded in custody for the night.

Counsel Luigi Rea SC told the judge yesterday that Patrick Joyce was in an emotional state when the incident happened.

He asked that Mr Joyce be allowed to personally apologise to the court.

After stepping into the witness box Mr Joyce said: “I lost the head. I apologise to the court and to whoever else was here.”

Mr Justice Carney accepted his apology, but said: “The whole reason we have courts is to remove self-help vengeance as we witnessed here yesterday.

“As Mr McCormack was being led away he was attacked by Mr Joyce. I did not know who he was at the time but there’s no particularly distinction to be made just because he was one of the principal victims.”

The judge told Mr Joyce that if he wanted to attend the sentencing of McCormack he would have to learn to control himself.

McCormack is due to be sentenced on December 5, when a victim impact statement will be heard on behalf of James Joyce’s family.