Three Ballyfermot men have been jailed by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for their roles in a violent incident in which a man suffered a fractured skull.
Judge Frank O'Donnell noted the tissue around the victim's brain had to be operated on and the assault left him with blurring vision which had a serious effect on him especially at night.
Kevin (24) and Kieran (18) Cox, of Cherry Orchard Avenue were each jailed for a total of four years with the final year suspended.
They were convicted by a jury last month of assault causing harm and of violent disorder on July 6rd, 2001. Kieran Cox was also convicted of criminal damage on the same occasion.
Darren Rogers (19) of Elmdale Park, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder on the same occasion, was jailed for two years with the final year suspended.
Judge O'Donnell noted the victim and his family had been woken from their sleep by a gang in the middle of the night and terrorised. Stones were thrown and a car was damaged.
"The experience will remain with them for the rest of their lives", he said.
Judge O'Donnell suspended the final year of each sentence and said one condition of the suspension was that on release from prison none of the men should go near the victim's home.