'Sheer brutality’: Victim suffers fractured skull and scarring in broad daylight hammer attack in Limerick

A JUDGE described an attack on a man in a front garden in the city by two assailants armed with hammers as “sheer brutality”.

The victim received a fractured skull and has scarring on his head after he was struck over 20 times, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard.

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Scott Joyce, aged 20, of Drominbeg, Rhebogue pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a man, aged 21, in  St Mary’s Park on March 23, 2024.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Neasa Ní Chearnaigh.

Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Joyce acted in “common design” with two individuals referred to in court as Mr X and Mr Y.

“The three males attended at the address at 3.30pm. Mr Y knocked on the door and when the man came to the door he was struck first by Mr X and then Mr Joyce who joined in. He was struck over 20 times by Mr X and Mr Joyce. Mr Y remained on the footpath,” said Mr O’Sullivan, who described it as “an attack of some ferocity”.

The prosecuting barrister said the victim suffered a fractured skull and had to be transferred from University Hospital Limerick to Cork University Hospital due to concerns over the gravity of his injury. Mr O’Sullivan said the injured party also suffered broken fingers, bruising and scarring on his head.

Later in the sentencing hearing, Pat Barriscale BL, who represented Mr Joyce, put it to Det Garda Neasa Ní Chearnaigh under cross-examination that there were no long term medical issues.

The detective said she was not aware of the victim's state of health as he declined to make a statement or engage with gardai. 

Mr O’Sullivan said prior to the assault, Mr X and Mr Joyce had purchased hammers in a hardware store and were patrolling the St Mary’s Park area in a silver Mercedes driven by Mr X. CCTV footage of the attack was played for Judge Colin Daly.

Mr Barriscale, in mitigation, said his client has ADHD, a mild form of autism and has no previous convictions.

“He comes from a very good family that are not involved in criminality. The company he was keeping was not appropriate. He is easily led. My client didn’t have the issue with the victim. He was led into getting involved with this. He is in a relationship and they have a two-year-old child,” said Mr Barriscale, who handed in a letter of apology from Mr Joyce and letters from his grandmother and girlfriend.

“He knows this is a serious matter. He is looking for leniency. He made a mistake and is doing his best to look to the future,” said Mr Barriscale.

Judge Daly said the CCTV footage showed the “sheer brutality of the attack which took place in a residential setting and in broad daylight”.

“He comes from a good home and a good family. He may not have been the leader and may be easily led but he must face the consequences of his involvement,” said Judge Daly, who imposed a four-year jail sentence with the last 12 months suspended. It was backdated to April when Mr Joyce was first remanded in custody.