Three men who assaulted IT graduate spared jail

Three men who assaulted an IT graduate, leaving him with massive facial injuries, were given suspended sentences yesterday at Limerick Circuit Court.

Cathal O’Brien, aged 23, of The Cross, Ardagh, Shane Kelly, aged 23, of Ballagh, Abbeyfeale, and Deniss Permanickis, aged 27, of Ballagh, Abbeyfeale, had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to James O’Donnell, aged 22, at the Square Newcastle West, on July 12, 2014. They also pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

All three chased and knocked Mr O’Donnell to the ground after they saw him earlier have a casual conversation with a woman in a night club. Mr O’Donnell was repeatedly kicked and beaten while on the ground and only remembered waking up in the back of an ambulance.