Convicted killer and man with over 270 convictions jailed for Dublin shopping centre fight
Eimear Dodd
A convicted killer and a man with over 270 convictions have both been sentenced for their roles in a fight outside a Dublin shopping centre three years ago.
Keith Smithers (42) and Peter White (41) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to affray on November 21st, 2022, at Barry Road, Finglas, Co. Dublin.
Smithers, of Barry Close, Finglas, Dublin 11, was handed a nine year sentence last June after he was convicted of the unlawful killing and robbery of Brian Hogan on January 13th, 2023 at Collins Place in Finglas. His earliest release date for this offence is in 2030.
White, of Casement Drive, Finglas, was jailed last June for four and a half years for the robbery of Mr Hogan on the same date. He was acquitted of the unlawful killing of Mr Hogan.
Both men were handed a sentence of two years on Tuesday.
Garda Niall Mangan told Kieran Kelly BL, prosecuting, that a fight took place between Smithers, White and a third man outside some shops on Barry Road.
CCTV footage
An investigation started, but some witnesses did not wish to speak with gardaí, the court heard.
CCTV footage of the incident was played to the court, which showed Smithers and White being approached by the third man before an altercation took place between them.
Gda Mangan agreed with Karl Monahan BL, defending White, that the third man approached his client, who had two bikes with him.
This man started to talk to White, then grabbed and pulled at a bike before he threw a punch.
The incident involved punching and kicking. A small screwdriver and a steel pole was also produced.
Evidence was heard that both defendants used the steel pole during the incident. The third male did not make a statement, with the court hearing that he was received a fine at the District Court for his involvement.
Smithers has 98 previous convictions including for theft, robbery, road traffic offences and drugs.
White has 274 previous convictions, including 102 for theft and 111 for road traffic offences. He has an earliest release date in 2027 for the sentence he is currently serving.
Counsel for both men said their clients are apologetic and remorseful. They asked the court not to extend the men's time in custody, noting that this incident occurred before the offences for which they are currently serving sentences.
Both men developed drug addiction issues as teenagers which they are making efforts to address, the court heard.
Aidan McCarthy BL, defending Smithers, said his client has spent most of his adult life in and out of custody. He has some work history as a labourer.
He noted his client will have “plenty of time to mull over his life and actions” while in custody.
'Over the top'
Mr Monahan, defending White, asked the court to consider the context of his client's offending, adding White's reaction was “over the top” and “unacceptable”.
White has some work history, and intends to remain drug-free and find work upon his release from custody.
Imposing sentence, Judge Orla Crowe said the CCTV footage is “very clear” and that the encounter between the three men became violent towards the end.
She noted that both men are making “serious efforts” to deal with their addiction. She handed both men a sentence of two years, to run from the date they each pleaded guilty.
