Two brothers involved in a violent affray, which took place at a funeral home in Galway in January 2019, have been jailed, while another two have been given suspended prison sentences at a sitting of Longford Circuit Court.
Tommy Hannifin (46), of Dublin Road, Longford, Denis Hannifin (44), of Curry, Athlone Road, Longford, Robert Hannifin (49), of Corboy, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, and Patrick Hannifin (48), of Dublin Road, Longford, were initially charged with violent disorder, and three assault causing harm charges each. Denis and Robert Hannifin were also each charged with possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.
All four men entered guilty pleas to the lesser charges of affray last month just ahead of the empanelment of a jury in a trial that was expected to last five weeks. Denis Hannifin also pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm, with the remaining charges were withdrawn by the state.
The incident on January 13, 2019, occurred at The Holy Family Church, Mervue, Galway, where members of both families had attended to pay their respects to the late Maureen Stokes. When the McGinley's arrived at 3.20pm, they were met by their first cousins, the Hannifins, who came towards them from the funeral home, shouting.
Robert Hannifin had a plastic bottle of clear liquid, which he sprayed at Denis McGinley, the court heard. The liquid was hydrochloric acid, which the investigating Garda said had "melted" Denis McGinley's jacket and had hit Mr McGinley in the face, causing his eye to burn.
As the incident escalated, bangs were heard, with John McGinley receiving a gunshot wound to his right thigh. Meanwhile, Patrick McGinley, having heard a bang, turned to run but was grabbed by his hair and felt a pain in his left shoulder, as Robbie Hannifin stabbed him twice.
Both injured parties stated that there had been no show of remorse from the Hannifin's, save for an apology from Patrick Hannifin. Denis Hannifin was also imprisoned in May 2022, for a stabbing incident at Longford Shopping Centre, which caused serious harm to Denis McGinley in December 2018, He was on bail for that offence when this incident occurred.
Judge Jonathan Dunphy sentenced Denis Hannifin to concurrent sentences of three years in prison on each of the two charges against him with the final 12 months suspended for a period of two years. For Robert Hannifin, he imposed a sentence of three years with the final 20 months suspended for two years.
