Ireland Limerick hurler's perjury conviction set aside on appeal
Pat Ryan, a 28-year-old man from Doon, Limerick, and a three-time All-Ireland winning hurler, gave evidence under oath on October 21, 2020 that he did not receive a fixed charge penalty notice, and that matter was struck out on that day. A separate investigation found he had sent a screenshot or photo of the notice to a third party. He pleaded guilty to and was convicted of perjury in the district court in March, and Judge Patrica Harney handed down a two-week jail sentence. His solicitor, John Herbert, appealed the severity of the sentence in the circuit court in May, and by July Mr Ryan had completed 40 hours of voluntary community service. Judge Tom O'Donnell allowed the appeal at a Limerick Circuit Court hearing in November 2023, and Mr Ryan left with no criminal conviction after completing 100 hours of voluntary community service.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Pat Ryan, aged 28, of Doon, gave evidence under oath that he did not receive a fixed charge penalty notice.
- Where
- The case was heard at Limerick Circuit Court.
- When
- The perjury related to evidence Mr Ryan gave under oath on October 21, 2020, and the matter was struck out on that date.
- Investigation
- A separate investigation found that Mr Ryan had sent a screenshot or photo of the fixed charge penalty notice to a third party.
- Charges
- Mr Ryan pleaded guilty to and was convicted of perjury in the district court in March.
- Sentence
- Judge Patrica Harney handed down a two-week jail sentence at the time of the district court conviction.
- In court
- Mr Ryan's solicitor, John Herbert, appealed the severity of the sentence in the circuit court before Judge Tom O'Donnell in May.
- Mr Ryan had completed 40 hours of voluntary community service by July and 100 hours by the November hearing.
- Judge O'Donnell allowed the appeal and said the conviction would be completely disproportionate.
- Other details
- Mr Ryan left the court with no criminal conviction.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatPat Ryan was convicted of perjury in the district court in March in relation to a fixed charge penalty notice. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatMr Ryan gave evidence under oath that he did not receive a fixed charge penalty notice. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe case was heard at Limerick Circuit Court. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe perjury related to Mr Ryan giving evidence under oath on October 21, 2020 that he did not receive a fixed charge penalty notice. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe matter was struck out on the date he gave the evidence. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationA separate investigation found that Mr Ryan had sent a screenshot or photo of the fixed charge penalty notice to a third party. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationA separate investigation found that Mr Ryan had sent a screenshot or photo of the notice to a third party. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeMr Ryan pleaded guilty to and was convicted of perjury in the district court in March. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMr Ryan's solicitor appealed the severity of the sentence in the circuit court in May. (limerickleader.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMr Ryan had completed 100 hours of voluntary community service. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe judge said he was allowing the appeal. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtIn July it was heard that Mr Ryan had completed 40 hours of voluntary community service. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMr Ryan had completed 100 hours of voluntary community service by the November hearing. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtJudge O'Donnell allowed the appeal. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceA two-week jail sentence was handed down by Judge Patrica Harney. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceHe was given a two-week jail sentence. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherMr Ryan left the court with no criminal conviction. (limerickleader.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- otherJudge O'Donnell said the conviction would be completely disproportionate. (tipperarylive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Nov2023All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler leaves court with no conviction
Reports that the Circuit Court allowed Mr Ryan's appeal against sentence, so he left court with no criminal conviction. Mr Ryan had completed 100 hours of voluntary community service.
convicted, Pat Ryan, 28, named, irish (judged from name)Pat Ryan - 2 Nov2023All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler leaves court with no conviction
Follow-up to the earlier report on the perjury case. The circuit court allowed the appeal against the sentence, and Mr Ryan left with no criminal conviction. He had completed 100 hours of voluntary community service.
convicted, Pat Ryan, 28, named, irish (judged from name)Pat Ryan