Men to be sentenced for their role in an attack on the adult occupants of a car while children were present

By Eimear Dodd

Three men will be sentenced next year for their role in an attack on the adult occupants of a car while children were present on a busy Dublin Road.

Glen Keegan (41), Karl Keegan (31) and Thomas McAllister (48) each pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm at Killinarden Heights, Tallaght to two men on April 25, 2017.

The three men were not directly involved in an ongoing dispute between two particular families, but agreed to take part in this incident, during which children were present.

At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday Judge Pauline Codd adjourned the case until March 6, 2023 for probation reports to be prepared.

Judge Codd said it appears the original dispute has settled down, but the offending was “very serious”, particularly as it had occurred in the presence of children.

She said the use of balaclavas and other items would been a “frightening experience” for members of the public who witnessed it.

Garda Detective David Jennings told John Berry, BL, prosecuting, that gardai were called following reports of a violent incident on a busy road between the Killinarden and Knockmore estates in Tallaght at around 9am on the day in question.

A taxi driver told gardai that he saw a maroon car coming up on the wrong side of the road behind him.

The maroon car then crashed into an orange car, that was one vehicle in front of the taxi.

Three people wearing balaclavas got out of the maroon car carrying implements and began to strike the orange car.

The orange car attempted to drive away, but there was heavy traffic.

It then reversed into the vehicle behind it with such force that this other car was pushed into the taxi.

The men continued their attack on the orange car, which drove to a nearby green area.

The two adult occupants of the orange car left the vehicle, while two children remained inside.

The adults were followed by their assailants.

The maroon car also drove to the green area, then the driver also got out.

There was an altercation, then the four occupants of the maroon car got back into the vehicle and left the scene.

When gardai arrived, the two victims were still in the area, but refused to engage with them.

The two men were observed to have superficial cuts to their faces and arms and an ambulance was called.

Gardai made arrangements for the two children to be taken home.

The maroon car was later found in a nearby estate.

An attempt had been made to set it on fire.

Some weapons were found in the boot of the partially-burnt car.

Glen Keegan of Russell Lane, Jobstown and McAllister with an address in Rhode, Co. Offaly were arrested by gardai nearby and their clothing seized on drugs search charges.

They were re-arrested in relation to this incident at a later stage.

DNA from their victims were found on various items sent for analysis.

Karl Keegan, of Kilcarrig Crescent, Fettercairn, Tallaght, was identified as a suspect by gardai using CCTV from the area.

His DNA was found on a balaclava recovered from the maroon car.

Det Jennings said gardai did not identify the fourth man in the maroon car and could not say who had been the driver.

When interviewed by gardai, the three men maintained their right to silence.

No victim impact statements were made.

Karl Keegan has 35 previous convictions including seven public order offences, nine road traffic offences and eight for theft.

He was on bail at the time of this incident.

McAllister has 15 previous convictions including five for possession of drugs for sale and supply and nine road traffic offences.

He was also on bail at the time of this offence.

Glen Keegan has 28 previous convictions including three for assault and 13 for road traffic offences.

Det Jennings agreed with defence counsel for the three accused that they had been courteous in their dealings with gardai.

He accepted that their guilty pleas were valuable to the prosecution.

The investigating garda agreed with Sarah Jane O’Callaghan BL, defending McAllister, that her client’s previous drugs convictions relate to one incident and occurred because he was helping his brother with a drugs debt.

Her client spent six months in hospital following an incident in the weeks after this offence, which was not reported to gardai.

Ms O’Callaghan said her client had brought €4,000 to court as an expression of remorse to convey his “utter disgust” at his involvement.

Det Jennings agreed with Shaun Smyth BL, defending Glen Keegan, that his client is known to gardai in Tallaght, but has not come to any recent attention.

Most of his client’s convictions relate to his addiction issues.

His client had been “persuaded” to take part in this attack at a late stage, though he was not involved in the underlying dispute.

The investigating garda agreed with Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing BL, defending Karl Keegan, that his client had become involved in a “pathetic dispute which spiralled out of control”.

He also agreed that Karl Keegan’s upbringing was “chaotic” following the death of his parents and he lived with family members, who had their own addiction issues.

Testimonials and letters from family were handed into the court on behalf of the three accused.

Defence counsel for the three men outlined mitigating factors.

They also said that all three men had willing become involved in this dispute and they should not have done this.

Family members were also in court to support the accused.

The court heard that the dispute between two families allegedly related to a small amount of cannabis herb, but tensions settled down after this event.

Ms O’Callaghan said her client had never been in difficulty before taking on his brother’s drug debt in the months before this incident.

He started taking cocaine for a brief period and “hanging out with the wrong people.”

Ms O’Callaghan said what happened on the day was “outrageous”, particularly as it was witnessed by children and other innocent bystanders.

Her client is embarrassed to be in the dock and has a long work history.

McAllister has a caring role within his family.

Mr Smyth handed in a letter of apology to the court from Glen Keegan, who is a father of five.

He said his client was suffering from a chronic crack cocaine addiction at the time of this offending, but has taken steps to deal with his addiction issues.

He had to leave a residential treatment programme early due to family reasons but is eager to engage with this service again.

His client had not brought a financial token of remorse to court, but would like the opportunity to do this.

Mr  Ó Dúnlaing said his client’s actions were “juvenile” and had “no place in a civilised society”.

Karl Keegan is a father of two, and had no stability in his early years.

He has returned to education, is working and made attempts to deal with an addiction issues.

His client had not come to recent garda attention.

His client had brought €1,000 to court as a gesture of remorse.

He asked Judge Codd to consider a Probation Report to see how his client had engage with these services.

Mr Berry read victim impact statements on behalf of the taxi driver and the driver of the other car.

The taxi driver said he was terrified during the incident and afraid that the men would also target other cars.

He said his car was off the road for three weeks and he had to pay another individual to perform his work.

The driver of the other car said the bonnet of her vehicle was smashed and her car had to be written off.

She said she suffered additional financial pressures during this period.