Three men who admitted being involved in a gay-bashing incident at a gay rendezvous area on the promenade in Salthill, Co Galway, have been remanded in custody for sentencing on May 24th.
David O'Halloran (19), Boleybeg, Barna; Kevin Corcoran (19), Bun an Cnoic, Rahoon, and James Buckley (20), Camilaun Park, Newcastle, pleaded guilty before Galway Circuit Criminal Court this week to assaulting a 35- year-old man at Blackrock, Salthill, in April last year, causing him harm. They also admitted stealing €20.
Garda John Lavery said he believed the assault had nothing to do with robbery of the money but was a gay-bashing incident and that the three had gone there for homophobic reasons.
They were spotted acting suspiciously at a car park outside an apartment block near Blackrock at 1.30am by an independent witness. They made their way to the shelters near the diving board and were seen kicking and beating their victim, whom they had ambushed on the beach. They then fled but the witness took the registration of the car, which belonged to Corcoran, and later helped to bring the victim to Salthill Garda station.
Garda Lavery said that while Corcoran had admitted his guilt, he had at first insinuated the victim had tried to proposition him and that was why he and his friends had attacked him. The garda said there was no truth in this.
The victim had suffered bruising from the kicks, but he did not require medical treatment. He had been afraid to sleep at night without having the lights on for a few weeks after the attack, but had since made a full recovery.
The three men had made offers of money in court as a token of their remorse. Buckley, a supermarket worker, brought €2,500 to court and if given time said he would pay another €2,500. Corcoran, a tyre fitter, brought €1,000, while O'Halloran, an apprentice plasterer, brought €3,000 .
The court heard that the three had not come to the attention of gardaí since and probation reports had suggested they presented a low risk of reoffending.
Judge Raymond Groarke said this had been a "criminal, cowardly, vicious act" and that thuggery of this nature brought great shame on families.
While the attack was particularly vicious, it was aggravated by an element of premeditation and planning and was aggravated even further by reason of the fact that this man was picked on because of his sexual orientation.
It was a serious matter and he failed to see how he could avoid imposing custodial sentences.
Judge Groarke remanded them in custody until May 24th for sentence. He directed that the €6,500 they brought to court be given to their victim, indicating that by agreeing to this, they were not going to influence his decision.