A then-teenager who attacked another youth with a broken claw hammer during a violent brawl outside a school has had his sentencing hearing adjourned at Castlebar Circuit Court.
Taylor Moran (23) of McDermott Street, Ballina, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm outside St Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina on April 2, 2021.
The court heard that Martin McDonagh (23) of Riverside Drive, Ballina suffered three deep puncture wounds in the lower abdomen during the assault but has since made a full recovery.
Garda Barry Joyce told Pat Reynolds BL, prosecuting, that a group of 10 to 12 youths were drinking together in an alcove outside the convent before an argument broke out.
The offence happened at about 21:30 at night in the convent grounds, the court heard.
CCTV footage played in court today showed a fistfight breaking out between the victim Martin McDonagh and another youth, before others get involved.
Moran was seen running away from the scene but returning a few seconds later with a claw hammer tucked into his waistline, which he displayed to another youth.
The footage showed Moran hitting Mr McDonagh a total of five times.
One of the claws of the hammer had been removed, prompting gardaí to think initially that the injuries had been inflicted with a knife.
Mr McDonagh was taken to WestDoc and spent a number of days in hospital in Castlebar.
Staff from WestDoc contacted gardaí and Mr McDonagh then made a formal complaint.
Moran was arrested and interviewed twice by gardaí, where he initially denied being involved in the assault.
He has several previous convictions including those for assault, road traffic offences and a public order offence committed last year.
Dr Laura Byrne BL, defending, handed in a probation report which said Moran came from a difficult background and was on medication for mental health issues.
The report said Moran had displayed remorse and deep regret for his actions and engaged positively with probation officers.
Moran’s mother Jennifer Harvey took the stand and told the court that she had been in a violent relationship for 10 years which had affected all her five children, especially Taylor, the eldest.
She said her ex-partner had drink issues and threw Taylor down the stairs, damaging his hip.
She said her children all had PTSD as a result of her ex-partner and that Taylor suffered with severe anxiety and often struggled to leave the house.
Ms Harvey said her son has managed to turn his life around since he met his partner, with whom he has a three-year-old son.
She said Taylor has also been offered training and a part-time job in a barbershop.
Judge Eoin Garavan said it was a remarkable coincidence that Moran had been offered a job on the eve of his sentence, given that he had an appalling employment record.
Judge Garavan noted that the offence was premeditated, in that the clawhammer had been lying in wait, ready to use.
‘This is a deadly weapon, and Mr McDonagh suffered very significant injuries,’ said the judge.
He adjourned sentencing until the autumn but warned Moran that it was ‘probable’ that he would face custody.
‘Bring your overnight bag, unless you do spectacularly well,’ the judge said, adding that Moran needed to get a job, address his alcohol and cannabis issues and engage proactively in counselling.
Moran was remanded on bail for sentencing on October 6.
A co-accused, Thomas Maloney (29) of Riverside Drive, Ballina, is also due to be sentenced on the next date.