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Hurler convicted of GBH after player loses an eye

Liam O'Neill leaving Newry Court. Picture by Mal McCann
Liam O'Neill leaving Newry Court. Picture by Mal McCann Liam O'Neill leaving Newry Court. Picture by Mal McCann

A 20-year-old hurler was given a suspended sentence yesterday for an attack during a game which led to an opposing player losing an eye.

Liam O'Neill struck west Belfast man Daniel McGreevy (32) with the butt of his hurl during an Antrim league match last year.

The hurl went through the visor of his helmet, leaving him with a fractured cheekbone but also "catastrophic" injuries to his left eye.

The 32-year-old has undergone repeated operations on the badly ruptured eye and detached retina but surgeons have been unable to save his sight.

Prosecuting QC Roseanne McCormick said yesterday that the hurl that struck the Lamh Dhearg player was "used as a weapon".

"Sadly the extent of the injury is really catastrophic in terms of the eye and the appearance of the eye which is left," she said.

"He was captain of the team on this particular occasion and has played no hurling since."

Newry Crown Court heard that Mr McGreevy was playing in an Antrim division three senior hurling tie between Glenarm and Hannahstown club Lamh Dhearg on Easter Sunday last year.

The victim had lined out at centre-half forward, marked by centre-half back O'Neill.

An agreed statement of facts was read to the court which outlined how their shoulders collided before they both fell, while positioning themselves for a free during the second half.

O'Neill then "raised his hurling stick and struck the victim with the butt of the hurl", penetrating his visor.

Ms McCormick said a "melee" ensued before the match, played on April 20 in Glenarm, was abandoned.

With his eye bloodied and swollen, Mr McGreevy was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Medical staff noted his eye lobe had been perforated and there was a rupture to the back of the eye.

Police arrested O'Neill on May 12 and during questioning he falsely claimed Mr McGreevy bit his left ear and he struck the victim to escape.

In a later interview the defendant, of Ballycoose Road, Ballygally, gave police photos taken by his mother of the ear injury.

However, he later admitted that Mr McGreevy had not bitten him.

Ms McCormick said: "The reference to the biting of the ear is something that has caused great distress to the victim in this case."

She told the court that Mr McGreevy, a civil servant from west Belfast, was continuing to suffer "trauma and stress" due to the attack.

She said he no longer works at a "front of house position in his place of work".

Kieran Mallon QC, defending, said his client did not intend to cause the "extremely regrettable" injuries.

"It is accepted in the statement of facts he could not have foreseen the terrible consequences of his actions, and that clearly indicates that it has not been his intention," he said.

Mr Mallon also said his client had sent via the court a personal letter of apology to Mr McGreevy.

He said O'Neill, who works for Wrightbus in Ballymena, was also "struggling to cope with the impact of his actions".

O'Neill had denied a charge of grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, but pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of GBH.

He was given a 12-month jail sentence suspended for three years.

Mr McGreevy sat at the back of the court with his family and friends as the case was heard.

At one point the victim was asked to approach the court benches to allow Judge Brian Sherrard to have a closer look at his severely injured eye.

During sentencing, the judge described the injury as "horrendous".

"He has required repeated surgery and most significantly has lost his eye. This will have an impact on the rest of his life," he said.

The judge said the offence could attract a maximum seven-year prison sentence.

However, he said he accepted that the defendant was "not face to face with Mr McGreevy" when the incident happened during a "contentious and fractious game".

He also gave him credit for an early plea, having no previous convictions and his "exemplary character".