Residents of a Dublin suburban housing estate who witnessed a savage attack on a teacher have been urged to end their silence and assist gardaí investigating the case.
The calls came at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court from Judge Michael White, prosecuting counsel Fergal Foley BL, and also from the victim, Edward Fanning, who was attacked by a gang interfering with his car outside his home in Castlecurragh Vale, Mulhuddart, on his son's first birthday.
Christopher Gleeson (20), Corduff Green, Blanchardstown, who pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Fanning on October 18th, 2003, causing him serious harm, was jailed for seven years, with the final three suspended on condition that he remain under Probation and Welfare Service's supervision for a year after his release.
Sgt Brian Gill said Mr Fanning answered a knock to his door at about 10pm to find a gang trying to break into his car. He was attacked by the gang who left him unconscious on the road.
Judge White recommended that Gleeson, who was diagnosed as a "very sick chronic schizophrenic and a danger to his family and to society" should get all the necessary treatment in custody for his serious mental illness and said he would also write to the authorities on this issue.
Judge White said Mr Fanning (28) was lucky to be still alive and the sentences for those centrally involved in the assault should be in the range of nine to 10 years. He had to take into account Gleeson's lesser role, his co-operation with gardaí, his illness and the need to ensure he was supervised on his release.
"The court has also to take into consideration that seven people were involved but whatever was going on in that estate, there are witnesses to the incident who know those involved but haven't assisted gardaí," he said.
Mr Foley said he wished to add to the judge's comment by saying that Castlecurragh residents who saw the incident should come forward "even at this stage" to aid the Garda investigation.
Mr Fanning, a native of Gorey, Co Wexford, told Judge White that his life was destroyed by "thugs who had captured and terrorised a lovely estate and left me for dead". He woke up in hospital six-and-a-half weeks later "not knowing where I was or what happened to me". He had to undergo brain surgery to relieve a life-threatening blood clot, had surgery on his left elbow and his chin was broken in two places, among other injuries.
"My whole life has been changed completely and destroyed by these people. My relationship has ended and now I only see my son every fortnight," he told Judge White.
He said "seven people did this to me" and seven files were sent forward by gardaí but only two people were charged. His security was now ruined and he was forced through intimidation to sell "a lovely house in a lovely estate and now I live in rented accommodation".
"When are we going to call a spade a spade? When is the punishment going to fit the crime? I could have died there on the road. I could have left my son fatherless," he told Judge White.
Dr Henry Gerard Kennedy, director of the Central Mental Hospital, told Judge White he was surprised at media reports of evidence given at the last hearing by forensic psychiatrist Dr Brian McCaffrey that Gleeson would not be admitted to the hospital and that there was a bed shortage there.
Judge White, who thanked Dr Kennedy for appearing at his request, said it had been suggested to the court that Gleeson would not get treatment while in custody. Dr Kennedy replied that nobody had ever referred Gleeson to the hospital and they had never been asked to assess him.