An American who pleaded guilty to attacking a corpse at a funeral home with intent to provoke a breach of the peace was yesterday given a three-month suspended jail sentence on condition he keep the peace for six months. Willis Baynes-Nash (48), originally from Minnesota but with an address at Keel, Macroom, Co Cork, had been receiving treatment for alcoholism, Judge Brendan Wallace was told at Macroom District Court.
At an earlier sitting of Macroom District Court, Judge Wallace heard that Baynes-Nash had shocked mourners at the removal of Mr Mattie Twomey when he began striking the remains at Lynch's funeral home in Ballyvourney.
The court also heard that Baynes-Nash assaulted the undertaker's son, Mr Gary Lynch, while being escorted from the funeral home and that he later threatened to kill wheelchair-bound Ms Tess Lucey. He also threatened and chased Ms Lucey's 15-year-old son, Jimmy. When the boy's father, Mr Christy Lucey, tried to intervene, Baynes-Nash threatened and then kicked him. Baynes-Nash told an earlier court sitting that he had gone on a drinking binge after his aunt had suffered a heart attack and a friend died of cancer.
Yesterday the judge acknowledged Baynes-Nash had a serious drink problem.
Refusing an application from Supt Mick O'Loughlin to order Baynes-Nash's deportation, Judge Wallace sentenced him. He also fined him £25 for assaulting Mr Christy Lucey with intent to cause bodily harm, £25 for threatening to kill Ms Tess Lucey, £25 for threatening Jimmy Lucey and Mr Christy Lucey and £25 for assaulting Mr Gary Lynch with intent to cause bodily harm. He also ordered Baynes-Nash to pay £150 in witnesses' expenses.