Man told to ‘observe his handiwork’ after assault

A man who took part in the violent robbery of a 67-year-old Waterford farmer who was visiting Dublin City has avoided a jail sentence.

Judge Mary Ellen Ring ordered Philip Connolly to look at a photograph of the victim’s facial injuries and “observe his handiwork”. She asked him how he would feel if something similar happened to his grandfather.

The judge also observed that Connolly is now in a rehabilitation programme which involves working on a farm while his victim, David Feeney, can no longer work his land as a result of the assault.