Pair avoid jail for role in violent disorder

A brother and a friend of a man who died in a Christmastime pub fracas in Cork were yesterday given suspended jail sentences for engaging in violent disorder.

A judge described the pair as “probably the less nastier of the factions involved”.

Gerard Delaney died from injuries sustained after a melee in the Manhattan Bar on Lower Friar’s Walk, Ballyphehane, Cork City, on Dec 27, 2011.

His brother, Finbarr Delaney, aged 49, of 4 Plunkett Rd, and Keith Spillane, aged 37, of 10 Ashbrook Heights, Lehenaghmore, Togher, were yesterday given three-year suspended sentences.

At the Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Patrick J Moran noted Finbarr Delaney was the victim of a life-threatening assault in Feb 2011. It had led to a man, Robert Crinnion, being jailed for 10 years, but also to the creation of a Facebook page in which Mr Delaney had been described as a “rat” for giving evidence in court.

The judge commented: “It happened in the main because you had the courage to come to come to the courtroom to identify and name the perpetrator of the assault on you.

“I respect the fact that you did give evidence. I regret the fact that you were subjected to harassment. I get the impression that you are, in the main, a law-abiding citizen.”

Detective Sergeant David Treacy said there were a number of events between the Crinnion and Delaney families building up to the row at the Manhattan Bar.

Finbarr Delaney was at his local bar, Quirky’s in Pearse Square, on St Stephen’s Day 2011 when rumours circulated there was going to be an attack on the Delaneys in the pub that night.

Det Sgt Treacy said emotions were running high and it was decided a message would be delivered to the other side at the Manhattan Bar to appeal to them to stop the violence.

Finbarr and Gerard Delaney and Keith Spillane then went to the Manhattan Bar at around 12am.

“Mr Spillane had a pickaxe handle and a hood pulled around his face,” said Det Sgt Treacy. “Gerard Delaney had his face completely covered and hood pulled up. He was in possession of a baseball bat. Finbarr Delaney did not have his face covered and he was unarmed…

“Finbarr Delaney and another man had a conversation... They left after 18 or 19 seconds. As Gerard Delaney was leaving, a glass or bottle hit him… There was effectively a melee, things were picked up and thrown… Keith Spillane had a pickaxe handle, he was flailing and hitting out... Finbarr Delaney got struck with a table or a bar stool.”

Gerard Delaney subsequently died as a result of injuries sustained.