Wicklow man given 120 hours of community service for assaulting 82-year-old neighbour outside home

Wicklow man given 120 hours of community service for assaulting 82-year-old neighbour outside home

Briefly

"Garda Stephen O’Shea of Wicklow Town Garda Station told the court that on December 12, 2024, Mr Feeley waited for the 82‑year‑old victim to return to his home in Barndarrig, County Wicklow. When the man arrived and sat in his car, the accused approached and attacked him, delivering kicks, punches, jabs, and a headbutt."

"After the incident, the complainant asked for an ambulance, to which Mr Feeley replied: “You’re getting no ambulance, I’m going to kill you.” The victim was brought to a GP emergency clinic, which referred him to Wexford General Hospital. Mr Feeley was arrested and gave gardaí his version of events during interview."

"In a victim impact statement read to the court by prosecution counsel James Kelly, the injured party said he “couldn’t sleep” following the incident and that he no longer felt he could trust anyone. He said the assault had changed his life and that it could have been much worse. He added that radio advertisements about caring for the elderly now make him feel upset in light of what happened to him."

"Counsel for the prosecution, Mr Kelly, stated that the incident continued while the car was moving and that after the assault, the car was deemed unroadworthy due to damage sustained. The court was told that during the attack, the injured party's handbrake got “knocked”, causing the car to roll five metres and hit a nearby traffic cone."