Prisoner threatened to ‘behead’ inmate during jail riot

A convicted robber who was one of eight inmates involved in a jail riot during which a fellow prisoner was held hostage has been sentenced to 4½ years in prison.

Thomas Lennon (24) and seven others caused €33,748 worth of damage to Cloverhill Prison, and 11 prisoners were hospitalised following the incident.

An Afghan inmate (21) who was held captive was punched, kicked and stabbed with a broken piece of Perspex. He was later treated for superficial cuts to his face, hands and arms, but gardaí­ accept Lennon did not stab him.

Lennon, of Derry Park, Crumlin, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder, false imprisonment, assault causing harm and criminal damage at Cloverhill Prison on July 29th, 2015.

Garda Donal Daly told Gerardine Small, prosecuting, that during the riot Lennon was heard threatening to "jab" any staff member who came into the yard.

He said that after taking the prisoner hostage, Lennon shouted “you think Isis are bad? We are going to behead him.”

Garda Daly said riot officers were ultimately called in and the captured inmate “made a break”.

CCTV

A female prison officer who became isolated during the riot was kicked and forced to the ground. Lennon was captured on CCTV kicking this woman.

Lennon was on remand awaiting sentence for robbery at the time. He received a three-year term for this offence in December 2015, and had been due for release in May 2018. He has 34 other previous convictions.

Judge Melanie Greally imposed concurrent sentences totalling 4½ years, which she said must be consecutive to the term he is currently serving. The final 18 months of the sentence was suspended on strict conditions.

The judge described the offence as “wanton destruction and violence” which was targeted towards prison officers and property in Cloverhill.

She said the assault, which she said had racial undertones, was terrifying for the victim.

Olan Callanan, defending, said his client had asked him specifically to apologise for his behaviour towards the victim and, having viewed footage of the riot, Lennon was ashamed of himself and his actions.