THE "outrageous and disgraceful behaviour" of two Limerick men who maliciously damaged a headstone on the grave of murdered Det Garda Jerry McCabe was condemned yesterday in Limerick District Court.
Judge Michael Connellan said that in all his years on the bench he had never come across anything so extraordinary, and he referred to the pain suffered by Det Garda McCabe's wife and family.
He sentenced Melvin McNamara (18), of O'Malley Park, Southill, Limerick, to 11 months detention in St Patrick's Institution and Mark Connery (25), also of O'Malley Park, to 10 months imprisonment. The two pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the head stone between January 11th-12th last at Mount St Oliver Cemetery, Limerick.
Passing sentence Judge Connellan said he had never met anything as "mean or as disgusting and as queer or extraordinary, and I still do not know why".
A third defendant, Mr James Dundon (21), also of O'Malley Park, who is charged with damaging the headstone on January 8th/ 9th and January 11th/12th, was remanded in custody until March 26th.