A medical professional who bit off the top part of his brother’s left ear in a farmyard row “around land, monies and a shed” has avoided jail for the offence.
At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford imposed a suspended 17-month prison term on Conor O’Halloran (42) for the “unprovoked” and “very serious” assault causing harm of Daniel O’Halloran (37) that left the younger farmer brother losing the top part of his left ear.
Judge Comerford has also directed that solicitor for Conor O’Halloran offer to pay €10,000 compensation to Daniel O’Halloran within the next three weeks.
Counsel for the state, barrister Lorcan Connolly (instructed by state solicitor, Aisling Casey) said that Daniel O’Halloran is not interested in the €10,000.
Judge Comerford has also ordered, as part of the conditions attached to the suspended prison term, that Conor O’Halloran continue to engage in counselling.
‘Model citizen’
In his victim impact evidence, Daniel O’Halloran told the court that his “ear is disfigured and I will have to live with it as a constant reminder for the rest of my life of what my brother did”.
A radiographer at a hospital in the east of the country, Conor O’Halloran pleaded guilty to the assault causing harm of Daniel O’Halloran on May 5, 2021.
Conor O’Halloran’s barrister, Patrick Whyms (instructed by solicitor, Darach McCarthy) said that his client has no previous convictions, has never been in court before this and has been “a model citizen” apart from this one act.
Judge Comerford said that Conor O’Halloran had led “an exemplary life” before the assault and has shown “genuine remorse”.
In a report handed into court Conor O’Halloran said: “I am sad and disgusted with myself. It shouldn’t have happened. I wish it had never gone that far.
“We were close at one time. I am godfather to his son and he is godfather to my daughter.”
Biting part of ear
In evidence, Garda Brian Quinn told the court that when he arrived at the farmyard scene on May 5, 2021, he entered the farmhouse and saw Daniel O’Halloran “shirtless and the top part of left ear removed and blood down his face and down his body”.
Garda Quinn said that colleagues were with Conor O’Halloran of Rosebank, Old Bawn, Tallaght, Dublin 24 in the farmyard and he was arrested at the scene and replied “why am I being arrested and not him?”.
In a statement to gardaí at the scene, Daniel O’Halloran said that earlier in the morning, he saw his brother and described him “as being in a rage”.
Daniel O’Halloran told Garda Quinn that Conor O’Halloran was roaring ‘come out – we will have it’ and Conor O’Halloran took off his top and charged at his brother.
Daniel O’Halloran said that he was knocked to the ground and while on the ground Conor O’Halloran bit off the top of his left ear.
The younger brother was brought by ambulance to the A&E at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) and counsel for the state said that a medical report confirmed that “trauma to the left ear was consistent with a bite and tissue loss was noted”.
Daniel O’Halloran was treated and discharged the same day at the A&E.
Photos of the ear injury in the immediate aftermath of the assault were handed into court and Daniel O’Halloran also turned his head in the witness box to allow Judge Comerford view the “significant disfigurement” close up.
Land and money issues
Garda Quinn said that relations between the two brothers had deteriorated and there were “issues around land, monies and a shed”.
He said: “Matters came to a head that day.” The barrister acting for the state said that Conor also owned farmland in the Tulla area and these lands were being farmed by his brother.
Barrister for Conor O’Halloran, Patrick Whyms said that his client works as a radiographer at a Dublin Hospital and is married with young children.
The barrister said that Conor O’Halloran is hopeful that he can reconcile with Daniel but does not believe it will happen in the short-term.
The barrister added said that proceedings have been issued in the case and his client’s plea of guilty means that his client will not be contesting liability in the case.
In his victim impact statement, Daniel O’Halloran said “my family is broken and I have not even been told sorry once”.