Debs turned to nightmare after man stabbed in head

DEBS ball celebrations turned into a nightmare for a young man who was chased along a city centre quay by three attackers who kicked him on the ground while one of them stabbed him three times in the head.

One of the accused was told by Judge Patrick J Moran: “I am shocked you would go to a debs party with a knife.”

He directed the comment to Thomas Noonan, of Brooklodge, Glanmire, Co Cork, whom he described as the ringleader of the attack.

He jailed Noonan for four years with the last year suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.

The judge also imposed a three-year sentence with half of it suspended in the case against co-accused Seán Greenwood, of Sarsfields Court, Glanmire.

Noonan and Greenwood denied all charges in a recent lengthy trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court and gave alibi evidence claiming they had been driven home before the attack on Jonathan Gough at St Patrick’s Quay, Cork, at 2.30am on September 26, 2009.

Judge Moran said “Your alibi evidence, the jury discounted that evidence in its entirety. Whether the DPP will take further steps on that or not I do not know. I just make that comment.”

A third man, Jonathan Delaney of Meadowbrook, Glanmire, was given a three-year sentence which was suspended in its entirety.

The judge differentiated in Delany’s case because of the lesser part played by him. He admitted assault causing bruising and engaging in violent disorder. However, he co-operated with the garda investigation, apologised in person to the injured party in the presence of Detective Garda James Butler and paid €1,000 as a gesture of compensation.

Det Garda Butler said all parties in the case were aged around 20 on the night in question and were celebrating the Glanmire community college debs at the Silversprings Hotel.

A number of people went to town afterwards and ended up outside Hillbilly’s on MacCurtain Street. There was some argument between Louise Gough and two of the defendants, Greenwood and Noonan. Jonathan Gough intervened and told Noonan and Greenwood to leave his sister alone.

There was some altercation that involved pushing and punching but it was not serious. Mr Gough and his sister crossed the road to the Metropole and Jonathan Gough was followed and there was a further altercation.

Fearing for his safety Mr Gough ran around the corner of Leisureplex, down Brian Boru Street and right on to St Patrick’s Quay. He tripped and was set upon by the three defendants who kicked him on the ground. Noonan produced a knife and stabbed the injured party three times in the back of the head. Mr Gough got a taxi home and later went to Cork University Hospital.

Judge Moran described it as a savage attack with Noonan the ringleader, Greenwood acting in common design in the assault causing harm and violent disorder, and Delaney playing the lesser part.

“The injured party was in effect chased by you, certainly from Leisureplex. Unfortunately he tripped and fell and you came along and attacked him. You attacked him in a violent and savage manner. He was on the ground and you kicked him.

“You, Thomas Noonan had a knife in your possession and you used that knife stabbing him in the head. What was to have been an evening of celebration, an evening of pleasantness, the occasion turned into a nightmare for Jonathan Gough.

“This was a nasty incident. It is shocking to think knives are produced when young people go out to enjoy themselves in this city.”