Gardaí have praised the role of the local community in securing the convictions of two men.
It follows a Christmas Day night-time incident that happened in Co Kilkenny more than a year ago which has been described by investigators as frightening not just for the victims but also the wider community.
Gardaí responded to a call at about 10:30 on the night of the 25th of December 2022 regarding allegations of a stolen tractor, criminal damage and assault in the Ballygurteen area of Paulstown with a number of victims including one person who was severely beaten.
Two men were arrested and subsequently charged – they appeared before Kilkenny District Court yesterday and were named as 31-year-old Glen Murphy and 35-year-old Colin Murphy, both of Kyleshall, Raheendoran in Co Carlow.
They were each sentenced to 12 years imprisonment with the last two years to be suspended for a period of five years, their sentences back-dated to the 26th of December 2022 when they first entered custody.
And both entered a bond in relation to their suspension periods with conditions which included that they stay away from the Ballygurteen and Castlewarren areas for a period of five years.
Gardaí locally have welcomed the convictions and are thanking all who came forward from the community to assist with their investigations.
