Two brothers have been sentenced to eight months in prison for assault after boxing-related banter in a pub in Dublin ended in violence.
Larry and Michael Connors were jailed after pleading guilty to assault, causing harm at Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin, on 21 December , 2024.
This happened after a man had been in a pub with friends watching the boxing match between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on the night in question, when he overheard banter while he was using a restroom cubicle. The victim was assaulted by the Connors brothers after he shouted "up Usyk".
This resulted in the man suffering a chipped tooth, as well as bruising, swelling and cuts to his face.
Both brothers are both currently serving a sentence for affray, which was imposed by Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court last February, and were due for release in November. They have been remanded in custody since their arrest in December 2024.
In court, Garda Michael Walsh told prosecuting, Simon Donagh BL, that the victim shouted "up Usyk" following the conclusion to the fight, while in the cubicle of Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin. He said that the man remembers hitting the ground, getting up again and being hit again.
Security staff assisted the man and the two accused, who were about to leave the premises before Gardaí arrived, who arrested to the two brothers. At this stage, the Connors behaved aggressively and Gardaí were forced to call for assistance, court was informed.
CCTV footage shows the fight being initiated by Michael Connors, but Larry used the excessive force.
Gardaí also agreed with Larry Connor's defence lawyer, Kieran Kelly BL, that there had been no prior contact between the parties before that incident in the bathroom.
Mr Kelly stated that his client had seen his brother talking to the victim, and spontaneously reacted as he did. He also claimed that Larry went to use the urinals, and had not adjusted his trousers when he came on the scene.
Mr Kelly added that his client has written a letter of apology and has €1,500 in court. He said that he is a married father of two children, with one child requiring additional care, while adding that Mr Connors has suffered several tragic bereavements which have been difficult for him to process.
Greg Murphy, BL, defending Michael Connors, has said that his client had pushed the victim to the ground, but then tried to break up the fight after Larry got involved. He claimed that Michael tried to be "peacemaker" after his initial push, and wanted to calm the situation.
In requesting that his client's custody was not extended, Mr Kelly added that his client is a married father for five children, and while he is doing well in custody, he would like to get home to his family, and stated that he has turned a corner in his life.
In conclusion, Judge Martin Nolan said that Michael Connors did not like something which was said in the pub bathroom on the night in question, but Larry Connors had misinterpreted what was happening and began throwing punches.
He insisted that nobody has the right to attack people for what they say, and that everyone has a right to express their views.
The judge acknowledged both men's remorse for the incident, and they have decent work records, and will return to stable environments upon their release, to loving families.
A sentence of 20 months was imposed by the judge, with the final year suspended on the understanding that they give more than €3,000 to the garda to be offered to the victims. Should that not be accepted, the money should be given to charity.
