A mugger who continued to kick a Leaving Cert student on the ground after stealing his mobile phone and watch was jailed yesterday for four years by a Circuit Court judge who said he had acted with "utter evil".
Passing sentence on Thomas McDonagh (19), Drom Chaoin, Rahoon, Galway, Judge Raymond Groarke said this had been one of the worst cases of assault and robbery he had come across in all his years on the bench which did not involve the use of a weapon.
McDonagh pleaded guilty at Galway Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting 18-year-old Dara Kenny, causing him harm, at Salthill Park, Galway, on May 14th last. He also admitted stealing the student's mobile phone and watch on the same date.
Garda John Lavery said most of the assault was captured on Garda CCTV cameras mounted on Dalysfort Road, near Salthill Park, which showed McDonagh and co-accused Thomas Folan (21), Cardinal Cushing Road, Mervue, Galway, dragging the student into the park.
McDonagh is captured on film punching the victim in the face. When he fell, Folan jumped on his chest, knelt there and continually punched him in the face.
McDonagh demanded Mr Kenny's mobile phone while kicking him as he lay on the ground. As the victim handed the phone over, McDonagh noticed his watch and demanded that too.
Garda Lavery said the student had been walking his girlfriend home when he was accosted by seven youths, two girls and five men, on Dalysfort Road. He became concerned for his girlfriend's safety and told her to run.
He was then punched in the face before being dragged by both McDonagh and Folan into the nearby park. The other gang members dispersed while Mr Kenny's girlfriend ran to a nearby pub where she rang the Garda.
Garda Lavery said that two Garda cars arrived on the scene. He estimated the assault had lasted from between 10 to 15 minutes and it had taken place in the park, which is just 200m from Salthill Garda station.
He said it was evident from the CCTV footage that both accused continued to assault their victim long after he had given them everything he had.
Mr Kenny told the court the beating had left him with a severely swollen face, and his Leaving Cert results had suffered. He had hoped to go to college to study business and computing but now had to repeat maths.
He said he continually suffered flashbacks of the assault and had not left his house for weeks afterwards. He still looked over his shoulder when he went out for fear of being attacked and had avoided Salthill Park since the assault.
The court heard that Thomas Folan had suffered serious medical complications earlier this month. He was remanded in custody to January when medical reports will be given to the court.