Terminally ill man stamped on and kicked

A man who punched, kicked, and stamped on a terminally ill and defenceless man before being stopped by onlookers from throwing him into a canal has been jailed for five years with the final year suspended.

The family of the late Frank Kavanagh, a native of Bohermore, Co Galway, clapped and cheered as his attacker, Paul McDonagh, aged 36, from 60 Innishannagh Park, Co Galway, was led away in handcuffs from Galway Circuit Criminal Court.

McDonagh had pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Kavanagh, causing him harm at Raven’s Terrace, Co Galway, on Sept 5 last year.