Kilkelly publican disgusted at early release

Kilkelly publican disgusted at early release of man involved in attack


Anton McNulty

A KILKELLY publican has called into question the legal system after a man involved in a ‘riot’ in the village, which saw €5,000 worth of damage caused to his pub, was released after just seven-and-a-half weeks.
Last October, Mr William Carthy of 2 Airport Road, Kilkelly was convicted – along with two other men – when they attacked Shazzy Mac’s Bar in Kilkelly on Novemer 9, 2007, which resulted in a bench being broken up and 16 windows in the pub being smashed. While Mr Carthy did not physically attack the pub, the presiding judge, Raymond Groarke, said he was satisfied he was engaged in ‘violence and disorder’ and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended on the condition he keep to the peace for three years after his release.
During his submission, Judge Raymond Groarke described the incident as a ‘riot’ and ‘outrageous violence’ and ‘mindless acts of terrorism’. However, on December 2, Mr Carthy was released from prison after only seven-and-a-half-weeks. His release has angered the publican, John MacSharry, and his partner Sharon Duffy.
Mr MacSharry told The Mayo News he only realised Mr Carthy was released when his partner saw him driving and he said he was ‘absolutely disgusted’. Mr MacSharry, who has run the pub since 1992, said he did not feel that justice had been done and said that taxpayers’ money in bringing him to justice was wasted.
“What I am really annoyed about is how much is spent on free legal aid for repeat offenders because it is unfair that the taxpayer has to pay for these offenders. He did 47 days in a holiday camp and was let out; it was a joke. I wonder what his legal bill came to from all the court cases and how much it cost the State, and for what? What value has the taxpayer got, because I don’t think justice has been done,” he said.
Mr John O’Mahony, TD, said he remembered the ‘horrendous’ attack on the pub and said that a lot of resources were put into bringing the people to justice and he felt it was unfair that the victims should still have concerns about their security.