Ireland Case No. 5460Assault, threatening to kill, possession of imitation firearm · Co. Dublin · 10 Mar 2022
Man with 231 convictions to serve full prison term after Court of Appeal rejects sentence appeal
Michael Farrell (32), a man with 231 previous convictions, threatened to throw ammonia in a female garda's face in March 2021 while at Cloverhill Prison, attacked two prison officers at Mountjoy Prison on 10 March 2022, and had a realistic imitation firearm hidden in a tree at his home in 2020 in Dublin. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, threatening to kill or cause serious harm, and possession of a realistic imitation firearm. He was sentenced in December 2023 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, though sources differ on the term, and the Court of Appeal rejected his appeal against sentence, with judgment reported on 17 July 2024.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced17 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Michael Farrell (32) threatened to throw ammonia in a female garda's face.
- Farrell launched unprovoked attacks on two prison officers at Mountjoy Prison on 10 March 2022.
- When
- The threat against the garda was made in March 2021 while Farrell was undergoing psychological assessment at Cloverhill Prison.
- The imitation firearm offence happened in 2020 at Farrell's home in Dublin.
- Weapon
- Gardaí found a realistic imitation firearm hidden in a tree in Farrell's garden.
- Other details
- One prison officer suffered a fractured little finger while trying to restrain Farrell.
- The State described Farrell as a recidivist criminal with over 200 convictions who has spent numerous periods in jail.
- The sentencing judge noted that Farrell had a serious brain injury from being knocked down at age six and a mild intellectual disability.
- Charges
- Farrell pleaded guilty in 2022 to two counts of assault causing harm.
- Farrell pleaded guilty in 2021 to one count of threatening to kill or cause serious harm.
- Farrell pleaded guilty to possessing a realistic imitation firearm in a tree at his home.
- In court
- Farrell was sentenced in December 2023 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court by Judge Elma Sheahan.
- The Court of Appeal rejected Farrell's appeal against sentence, finding the sentencing judge did not fall into error, in a judgment given on a Wednesday and reported on 17 July 2024.
- Sentence
- Key facts say Farrell was sentenced to six years in prison with the final six months suspended, while the appeal article refers to a 5½-year sentence.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatFarrell's appeal against his sentence was rejected by the Court of Appeal. (irishtimes.com)
- whatFarrell threatened to throw ammonia in a female garda's face. (irishtimes.com)
- whatFarrell launched unprovoked attacks on two prison officers at Mountjoy Prison on 10 March 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe imitation firearm incident happened in 2020 at Farrell's home. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe threat against the garda was made while Farrell was undergoing psychological assessment at Cloverhill Prison in March 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponGardaí found a firearm hidden in a tree in Farrell's garden, which was found to be a realistic imitation firearm. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeFarrell pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm in 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeFarrell pleaded guilty to one count of threatening to kill or cause serious harm in 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeFarrell pleaded guilty to possessing a realistic imitation firearm in a tree at his home. (irishtimes.com)
- courtFarrell was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal gave its judgment on a Wednesday, rejecting the appeal. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceFarrell was sentenced to six years in prison with the final six months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- otherOne prison officer suffered a fractured little finger while trying to restrain Farrell. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Court of Appeal found the sentencing judge did not fall into error. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Jul2024Man with 231 convictions who threatened to throw ammonia in garda’s face will serve full prison term
Reports the Court of Appeal's decision rejecting Farrell's appeal against sentence; the article gives no single incident date, as the offences occurred in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
convicted, Michael Farrell, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Farrellvictim, femalevictimvictim