‘Much-loved’ grandfather has jail term cut on appeal

A “much-loved grandfather”, who lost control and stabbed his daughter’s partner when he heard him abuse her over the phone, has had his jail term cut on appeal.

Brian Hynes, 64, of Carbury, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty at Naas Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at the home of his daughter and her partner on tenced to four years’ imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended by Judge Michael O’Shea on June 21, 2012. Hynes was granted bail pending his appeal which resulted in a new sentence of four years’ imprisonment with the final two-and-a-half years suspended yesterday — reducing his jail term by one year.

Giving judgement in the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice John Edwards said Hynes’ daughter had been in a 20-year-long “difficult relationship” with the injured party and they had two young children together — Hynes’ grandchildren.