Ireland Ciaran Cullinan sentenced over Barefield assault and claw hammer incident
In February 2022 Ciaran Cullinan, a 34-year-old man, raised a claw hammer over his head during an incident at the property of Noel Meere, a 75-year-old farmer and retired school teacher, at Curraderra, Barefield, outside Ennis, Co Clare. In September 2022 Cullinan assaulted Mr Meere, who said he was punched repeatedly around the head and stabbed in the neck. Cullinan was given a four year, eight month prison term for the assault in July 2023. At a sentencing hearing at Ennis Circuit Court, reported in May 2024, Judge Francis Comerford imposed an additional one-year term, to run consecutively, for producing the claw hammer and criminal trespass, and barred Cullinan from going within 15km of Barefield until 2031.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced22 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- In February 2022 Ciaran Cullinan raised a claw hammer over his head during an incident involving Noel Meere.
- Mr Meere said Cullinan punched him repeatedly around the head and stabbed him in the neck during the assault.
- Where
- The February 2022 incident took place at the Meere property at Curraderra, Barefield, outside Ennis, Co Clare.
- When
- The assault on Mr Meere took place in September 2022.
- Cause
- The court heard that Cullinan's targeting of Mr Meere was linked to cannabis-induced psychosis.
- Investigation
- Gardaí told the court that none of the Meere family are known to be involved in criminal activity.
- Charges
- Cullinan was dealt with for producing a claw hammer and criminal trespass on 4 February 2022.
- In court
- The sentencing hearing took place at Ennis Circuit Court before Judge Francis Comerford.
- Sentence
- In July 2023 Cullinan was given a four year, eight month prison term for the assault on Mr Meere.
- An additional one-year prison term was imposed, to run consecutively to the four year, eight month term.
- After release, Cullinan is not to go within 15km of Barefield until 2031.
- Other details
- Cullinan had no record of prior convictions before 2021.
- Mr Meere is a 75-year-old farmer and retired school teacher.
- Mr Meere described Cullinan in court as a coward, a bully and a violent criminal who attacks only elderly and vulnerable people.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCullinan raised the claw hammer over his head during the February 2022 incident. (clareecho.ie)
- whatNoel Meere said Cullinan punched him repeatedly around the head and stabbed him in the neck during the September 2022 assault. (clareecho.ie)
- whereThe February 2022 incident took place at the Meere property at Curraderra, Barefield, outside Ennis. (clareecho.ie)
- whenThe assault on Mr Meere took place in September 2022. (clareecho.ie)
- causeThe court heard that Cullinan's targeting of Mr Meere was linked to cannabis-induced psychosis. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationGardaí told the court that none of the Meere family are known to be involved in criminal activity. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeThe additional sentence was for producing a claw hammer and criminal trespass on 4 February 2022. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe sentencing hearing took place at Ennis Circuit Court. (clareecho.ie)
- sentenceCullinan was given a four year, eight month prison term last July for the assault on Mr Meere. (clareecho.ie)
- sentenceAn additional one-year prison term was imposed, to run consecutively to the four year and eight month term. (clareecho.ie)
- sentenceAfter release, Cullinan is not to go within 15km of Barefield until 2031. (clareecho.ie)
- otherCullinan had no record of prior convictions before 2021. (clareecho.ie)
- otherMr Meere is a 75-year-old farmer and retired school teacher. (clareecho.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 May2024Barefield farmer (75) brands attacker a 'coward and a bully' - Clare Echo
Sentencing report: adds the additional one-year consecutive sentence for the February 2022 claw hammer incident, the court's remarks, and the victim's impact statement. The four-year, eight-month sentence for the September 2022 assault was imposed last July.
convicted, Ciaran Cullinan, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ciaran Cullinanvictim, Noel Meere, 75, male, irish (judged from name)Noel Meere