Carlow, Ireland – A twenty-three-year-old man, Ben Curry, from Graiguecullen, Carlow, has been sent forward to Mullingar’s Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to charges of violent disorder in Athlone, Westmeath. The incident took place on May 18, 2023, at Dublin Gate Street.
Curry, along with three other males, was arrested and charged with committing violent disorder. Upon appearing before Judge Deirdre Gearty today, Curry’s defense barrister indicated his intention to plead guilty. Curry was given an ‘alibi warning’ and advised to notify the State within 14 days if he wishes to rely on any alibi evidence during his trial.
Later, Curry formally entered a guilty plea before Judge Kenneth Connolly and was remanded back into custody for sentencing on June 25. This sentencing relates to unrelated attacks on two women in Athlone the previous year. Curry was on bail for two violent disorder incidents in Longford during those attacks.
In a separate hearing, Curry had previously pleaded guilty to charges of criminal damage in connection with the first assault and robbery of his second victim’s iPhone worth €900. The court heard harrowing details of both assaults, including violent physical attacks on the victims.
Judge Keenan Johnson indicated an indicative seven-year sentence for Curry, with the possibility of suspension under certain conditions post-release. This sentence would be backdated to Curry’s initial custody date, taking into consideration his previous incidents in Longford.
The court ordered a positive probation report and Curry’s engagement with medical professionals as part of the conditions for a potential suspended sentence. Curry remains in custody until his sentencing on June 25, which will also address the violent disorder charge against him.