Pensioner who killed to protect his family pleads guilty to 'nasty' pub assault

A pensioner who shot and killed a man while protecting his family 25 years ago has pleaded guilty to an assault in a city pub.

Christopher McCormack, aged 65, of Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, Limerick city pleaded guilty to assault causing harm in Gerry Power’s pub, William Street on August 25, 2019.

In 2000, Mr McCormack shot three men outside his home, killing one of them, while trying to protect his family. 

He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to one of the three who he had shot in the buttocks, a court heard in 2004.

The DPP instructed that no charges be brought against Mr McCormack in relation to the shooting of the other two men, one of which was fatal.

Mr McCormack told gardai the men came to his house saying his son was "dead" and that they threatened to shoot him, too.

“I had to protect my family. I did what I had to do," Mr McCormack told gardaí at the time.

Mr MCormack appeared before Judge Colin Daly in Limerick Criminal Circuit Court last week in relation to the assault in a pub in 2019.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Aled Harkin.

Mr O’Sullivan said the victim, aged in his 20s, walked out of the pub and on his way gave a friendly salute to Mr McCormack and Paul Mason who were seated together.

In 2022, Mr Mason, aged 55, of Maple Court, Kennedy Park, Limerick city received a two year suspended sentence for the pub assault.

The victim returned to the bar and was assaulted by Mr Mason and Mr McCormack. The court heard the victim was punched and stabbed. Mr Mason and MrCormack left and went to a pub in the vicinity.

The gardai were called after the victim left Gerry Power’s pub and collapsed on William Street, leaving “a trail of blood” to the door of the pub. The man was taken to University Hospital Limerick by ambulance

Mr O’Sullivan said the victim did not identify his assailants.

“I don’t think it is a case of a lack of memory,” said Mr O’Sullivan, who described the guilty plea as “most welcome” due to the lack of witnesses.

CCTV footage of the incident was played for Judge Daly. The judge asked Det Garda Harkin if it was an unprovoked assault.

“The injured party was not very forthcoming but it appears there is some history there,” said Det Garda Harkin.

The judge asked if it was Mr McCormack or Mr Mason who stabbed the victim. Det Garda Harkin said they were unable to ascertain this. The detective said the weapon was not recovered.

Eimear Carey BL, who represented Mr McCormack, said her client has instructed her to apologise and he is very remorseful for getting involved in a nasty incident.

“He is truly sorry. He said he struck the victim with his fists into the face,” said Ms Carey.

The barrister said the plea of guilty was significant as witnesses didn’t see anything, didn’t want to get involved and there is a very reluctant injured party.

Ms Carey said Mr McCormack is 65-years old, has severe pulmonary fibrosis, requires oxygen on a constant basis and is being assessed for a lung transplant.

The barrister said her client's co-accused received a suspended sentence.

Ms Carey said the incident occurred five and a half years ago and Mr McCormack has had no interaction with gardai since.

Judge Daly said Mr McCormack and his accomplice attacked another man in a bar who suffered blows to the head and stab wounds to his neck and abdomen for which he was treated in hospital for almost two weeks.

The judge said it is difficult to ascertain the harm done, describing the victim as a “reluctant witness”.

“The attack took place in a busy pub during the daytime where there were many other patrons. 

“It appears to be an unprovoked assault and an assault in which a weapon was used. It is unclear which assailant caused the primary damage,” said Judge Daly.

In mitigation, the judge took into account the plea of guilty, his age of 65, work history and health difficulties, potentially being a candidate for a lung transplant.

Judge Daly said Mr McCormack’s previous conviction of assault causing harm was relevant but it was 19 years before the current offence so there should be no serious loss of mitigation.

Judge Daly imposed a two year prison sentence which he suspended in full.

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