A 35-year-old victim of a gay-bashing incident in Galway city last year told a court yesterday he did not want to see his attackers go to prison for the assault.
A Circuit Court judge described the attack as cowardly, premeditated and reminiscent of dogs chasing a rabbit.
Judge Raymond Groarke told the accused - David O'Halloran (19), an apprentice plasterer, from Boleybeg Barna; Kevin Corcoran (19), a tyre fitter, from Bun an Cnoic, Rahoon, Galway; and James Buckley (20), a supermarket worker from Camilaun Park, Newcastle, Galway - that their victim had shown great charity towards them. In contrast they had shown little towards him when they ambushed him at Salthill, Galway, in the early hours of April 17th last year and kicked and beat him on the ground.
Judge Groarke had remanded them in custody since the case first came before his court nine days ago. A two-year sentence was imposed on each of the accused yesterday, suspended for two years on condition they stay off drink for the two years and pay the victim €11,000 between them. Prosecution barrister Conor Fahy told Judge Groarke that the victim, who was not in court yesterday, did not wish to see them sent to prison.
" I will not tolerate conduct of this nature nor the motivation for it. These three people have been dealt with lightly, perhaps too lightly," Judge Groarke remarked.