‘Blue murder’ on Bantry streets leads two men to jail

“Blue murder” on the streets of Bantry last year resulted in two men being jailed for 18 months yesterday.

Judge Patrick J Moran imposed the sentences on Aaron Murnane, of 23 Reenraur East, Bantry, Co Cork, and Billy Ward, of 66 Glengarriff Rd, Bantry, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.

Murnane admitted assault causing harm to Glen Hyne. Ward admitted assault causing harm to Zbegnav Zubensky. Both accused also pleaded guilty to engaging in an affray.

The injured parties — two college students — were going out on the night of Sep 3, 2011, when they were attacked by Murnane, Ward, and others.

Gda Jonathan O’Donovan said Mr Hyne was the more seriously injured of the pair, suffering a broken hand, broken nose, a broken jaw, and serious cuts and bruises. Judge Moran noted from the doctor’s report that Mr Hyne suffered a brutal attack. Judge Moran added that doctors did not use language like that lightly, and he said he suspected that Mr Zubensky suffered similar injuries.

Judge Moran said: “This is most serious, incredible stuff going on in the town of Bantry.

“It was virtually ‘blue murder’ going on on the main street of Bantry on this particular night.”

Barristers Dan Cronin and Peter O’Flynn, for Ward and Murnane respectively, said both defendants had been very involved in sports but then began to get into difficulties. The barristers said the defendants co-operated, pleaded guilty, apologised for their actions, and showed remorse.

Gda O’Donovan said Murnane and Ward had previous convictions for assault and public order offences.