Four people sentenced for their parts in violent fracas in residential area of Cork town

A violent fracas in a residential area of Youghal was described by the sentencing judge as unfortunate, unseemly and unacceptable.

Judge Sinead Behan made this comment about the extent of the disorder that occurred at Kenny’s Lane in Youghal on September 13 2023 and resulted in four people facing sentence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court for the different parts they played in it.

Sergeant Ian Tanner who investigated the disturbance said that certainly emotions were running high on the night and people were reacting to quickly unfolding events – many of them occurring outside a house at Kenny’s Lane and in and around the front doorway of the property.

Sgt Tanner agreed with a suggestion that drink would have played a large part in proceedings on the night.

All four defendants facing sentence were living at the time at Kenny’s Lane.

Sgt Tanner said the circumstances were that all parties were neighbours. And there had been an incident earlier when Jason Ferreira had a verbal altercation with a 17-year-old. The row that followed ultimately culminated when Keri Ferreira, Kylie O’Donoghue and Ryan Lane and Jason Ferreira were all involved.

Judge Behan said it was ironic that some of those who became involved claimed that their concern was in relation to the welfare of children but that the whole unruly incident would have been overheard and observed by children.

The judge said that the unfolding of violence near people’s homes late at night was an aggravating factor.

Sentences

Ryan Lane, aged 32, was convicted of two counts of assault causing harm, where he punched Jason Ferreira in the face and knocked him to ground and grabbed Keri Ferreira and knocked her to the floor.

Judge Behan noted that he had previous convictions for which he received a suspended sentence for assault. In mitigation he entered pleas of guilty, most of his offending came from when he was in his early 20s and he has not come to adverse attention since. Furthermore, he is in a stable relationship, in employment and has moved from the area.

Judge Behan imposed an overall sentence of one year suspended. He paid €1,500 compensation - €750 to each assault victim. He was ordered to have no contact with the injured parties.

Keri Ferreira, aged 34, had no previous convictions. Judge Behan commented that of all the parties she has taken considerable steps to better herself and deal with her issues, through Coolmine, the Tabor group and via education and employment. “Obviously, she produced a bottle and used it to threaten people but thankfully it was not used and no injury was caused,” the judge said.

On the charge of producing a bottle that was capable of causing serious injury, the judge gave her the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act.

Kylie O’Donoghue, aged 36, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Keri Ferreira. The judge said that while Ms O’Donoghue had previous convictions she had not come to attention for ten years before. “But she did hit the injured party’s head off a railing. I will impose a one year suspended.” She was required to stay away from Jason and Keri Ferreira.

Jason Ferreira, aged 58, had been upstairs in bed and reacted to what he heard and saw happening outside. He pleaded guilty to a simple assault on Ryan Lane and to engaging in threatening behaviour, for which he was given a total sentence of three months suspended. And he was required to make a €500 contribution to a local charity.