Man jailed after hit with 'knuckle duster' and scooter driven over his head on Kilkenny city street

A six-month prison sentence has been handed down to a man convicted of affray following a broad-daylight brawl on a Kilkenny city centre street.

Damian Delaney, 2 Jordan House, Castlecomer Road, pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced at Kilkenny Circuit Court.

Gardaí told the court that the incident occurred on Kieran Street, in the middle of the day, on May 10, 2024.

Two co-accused have already been before the courts and prison sentences handed down, suspended for one of the co-accused.
A juvenile who was involved has been dealt with under the Youth Diversion Programme, the court heard.

CCTV from Kieran Street was shown in court, giving a very clear view of the incident. A number of people were seen in the company, including young children. Nearby gardaí were on the scene “very quickly”.

Mr Delaney had been attending a family christening when an altercation ensued outside the venue, on the street, with individuals who were not part of the family event. They were members of a different family.

It began as a verbal altercation that quickly escalated.
One of the other men was armed with a ‘knuckle duster.’

Mr Delaney ‘threw the first punch’ and threw a glass he had been holding which hit the other man on the head. He had been drinking from the glass and did not pick it up to use as a weapon.

A third man could be seen on the CCTV throwing a mobile phone and ‘a number of punches.’
A juvenile became involved and threw some punches from behind Mr Delaney.

Mr Delaney was punched by two people and ended up prone, on the ground.
He lost consciousness and needed medical treatment.

He had been ‘kicked repeatedly in the head’ and a youth ‘drove over his head’ on a scooter.

Mr Delaney later met gardaí by appointment, at Kilkenny Garda Station. He identified himself on the CCTV but did not give any reason why the incident happened.

The court was told he was cooperative to an extent but “said little or nothing.”

Damien Delaney had 89 previous convictions, including seven for the sale or supply of drugs and four for assault causing harm.

He struggled with drink and drugs for his adult life but this is something he is now addressing, in prison.

Judge Cormac Quinn observed there was “bad blood between the families” and this had been “a serious affray committed in open view.”
This was an aggravating factor in the case, the judge said.

Mitigation included Mr Delaney’s age, his early plea and that he presented in court as someone who is dealing with his addiction issues.

The judge also noted Mr Delaney’s serious injuries and that he was hit on the head with a knuckle duster.
He convicted Mr Delaney and imposed a six-month jail sentence.