Ireland Case No. 18129Assault causing harm; robbery · Co. Dublin · 19 Jul 2023
Two men jailed for assaulting and robbing American twins in Temple Bar
On 19 July 2023, two American twin brothers aged 20 were attacked and robbed in Temple Bar, Dublin, while walking home. Cian Cleary, 23, of Bray, Co Wicklow, and Patrick McCarthy, 28, of Crumlin, Dublin, pleaded guilty before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Cleary to assault causing harm and robbery and McCarthy to two counts of assault causing harm. On 26 February 2024, Judge Elva Duffy jailed both men, and sources differ on the exact sentence lengths.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced26 Feb
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two American twin brothers aged 20 were walking home through Temple Bar when they were attacked.
- The court heard that Cleary cycled past the twins, dismounted and punched one of them without provocation.
- The court heard that McCarthy and Cleary separated the brothers and punched and kicked both of them repeatedly.
- The court heard that McCarthy threw a bottle of Lucozade at one victim's head.
- The court heard that Cleary stole a wallet and a mobile phone from one of the twins.
- Where
- The assault took place in Temple Bar, Dublin.
- When
- The assault took place on 19 July 2023.
- Other details
- One victim was taken to hospital with a welt to his forehead and needed a brain scan, and the other was described as sore and shaken.
- Cleary has 61 previous convictions, including for criminal damage, theft and possession of knives, and McCarthy has 18, including for drugs and criminal damage.
- Investigation
- CCTV footage of the assault was played in court.
- Charges
- Cleary pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and to robbery of one of the men, and McCarthy pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm to both men.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Elva Duffy described the assault as cowardly, nasty and very violent.
- Sentence
- Key facts give Cleary three years and three months with the final nine months suspended and McCarthy two and a half years with the final 12 months suspended, while RTE reports two and a half years and 18 months respectively for the two men.
25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe victims were two American twin brothers aged 20. (thejournal.ie)
- whatCleary cycled by the twins, dismounted and punched one of them in an unprovoked attack. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe punched twin immediately fell to the ground. (thejournal.ie)
- whatCleary met up with two other men including McCarthy before the second assault. (thejournal.ie)
- whatMcCarthy and Cleary separated the brothers and assaulted them both, punching and kicking them repeatedly. (thejournal.ie)
- whatCleary stole a wallet and mobile phone from one of the twins. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe victims were punched, kicked, and had a wallet and phone stolen (rte.ie)
- whatCleary cycled by the twins, dismounted and punched one in an unprovoked attack (rte.ie)
- whatMcCarthy threw a bottle of Lucozade at one of the victims' heads (rte.ie)
- whereThe assault occurred in Temple Bar, Dublin. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- whenThe assault took place on 19 July 2023. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- investigationCCTV footage of the assault was played in court. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- chargeCleary pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and robbery of one of the men. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- chargeMcCarthy pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm to both men. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- sentenceMcCarthy was sentenced to two and a half years with the final 12 months suspended. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- sentenceCleary was sentenced to three years and three months with the final nine months suspended (rte.ie)
- otherCleary has 61 previous convictions including criminal damage, theft and possession of knives. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- otherMcCarthy has 18 previous convictions including for drugs and criminal damage. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- otherOne victim was taken to hospital with a welt to his forehead and required a brain scan. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- otherThe other victim was described as sore and shaken after the assault. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMcCarthy's defence said he completed second level education, did a sports and fitness course, and worked on building sites. (thejournal.ie)
- otherJudge Duffy described the assault as cowardly, nasty and very violent (rte.ie)
- otherCleary spent time in care and completed his Junior Certificate in Oberstown Children Detention Campus (rte.ie)
- otherCleary started using drugs at the age of 13 (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 26 Feb2024Two men jailed over 'nasty' assault on American tourists
Sentencing details including CCTV evidence, prior convictions, defence background submissions, and the judge's description of the assault.
victim, 20, male, American, non-irishvictim, 20, male, American, non-irishconvicted, Cian Cleary, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cian Clearyconvicted, Patrick McCarthy, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick McCarthy - 26 Feb2024Two men jailed for attacking and robbing American twin brothers in Temple Bar last summer
Sentencing report from Dublin Circuit Criminal Court detailing the assault, guilty pleas, prior convictions, CCTV evidence, and the sentences imposed by Judge Elva Duffy.
victim, 20, male, American, non-irishvictim, 20, male, American, non-irishconvicted, Cian Cleary, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cian Clearyconvicted, Patrick McCarthy, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick McCarthy