Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 20121Assault causing harm; impeding apprehension of an offender · Co. Limerick · 29 Oct 2017

Two Limerick men sentenced over 'one punch assault' at family gathering

On 29 October 2017, a man was punched once in the face at Thomas O'Riordan's home in Lotteragh, Bruree, County Limerick, after a disturbance that followed a pub visit, and his jaw was fractured. Brendan Hennessy, 40, of Kilfinane, was found guilty of assault causing harm, and Mr O'Riordan, 49, was found guilty of impeding the apprehension of an offender, at a trial at Limerick Circuit Court in October 2021. Hennessy was given a three-year suspended sentence and Mr O'Riordan an 18-month suspended sentence, as reported in August 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced2 Aug
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Brendan Hennessy hit the victim, a man, with one punch to the face while the victim was kneeling down.
  • The victim suffered a fractured jaw and underwent an operation.
Where
The offences occurred at Thomas O'Riordan's address in Lotteragh, Bruree, County Limerick.
When
The offences occurred on 29 October 2017.
Cause
There was a disturbance of some sort at the house after the pub, and a window was broken.
Weapon
No weapon is mentioned; the assault is described as a single punch.
Investigation
The investigating garda was David Higgins.
Charges
  • Brendan Hennessy, aged 40, of Kilfinane, was charged with and found guilty of assault causing harm.
  • Thomas O'Riordan, aged 49, was charged with and found guilty of impeding the apprehension of an offender.
In court
Both men were convicted at the same trial in October 2021 at Limerick Circuit Court.
Sentence
Brendan Hennessy was given a three-year suspended sentence; Thomas O'Riordan was given an 18-month suspended sentence, as reported on 2 and 4 August 2023.
Other details
Thomas O'Riordan had paid 10,000 euro in compensation to the victim.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHennessy hit the victim with one punch in the face while the victim was kneeling down. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe offences occurred at Mr O'Riordan's address. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe offences occurred on 29 October 2017. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeThere was a disturbance of some sort at the house after the pub, and a window was broken. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtBrendan Hennessy was found guilty of assault causing harm following a trial in October 2021. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThomas O'Riordan was found guilty of impeding the apprehension of an offender at the same trial. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceHennessy was given a three-year suspended sentence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceO'Riordan was given an 18 month suspended sentence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe victim suffered a fractured jaw and underwent an operation. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherO'Riordan had paid €10,000 in compensation for the victim. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Aug2023
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Two Limerick men sentenced in connection with 'one punch assault' at family gathering

    Reports the sentences handed down to two men convicted at a trial in October 2021, and gives details of the 2017 incident and the victim's injuries.

    convicted, Brendan Hennessy, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan Hennessyconvicted, Thomas O'Riordan, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas O'Riordanvictim, male