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Beast jailed for over 12 years after biting off innocent man’s nose in front of grandchild

Gerard Devlin let out what was described in court this week as a “victory roar” and spat out a piece of his victim’s face

Hugh Jordan

Today at 07:40

The Beast of Ballymurphy has finally been caged, the Sunday World can reveal.

Gerard Devlin let out a ‘victory roar’ after he bit off part of an innocent man’s nose in front of his victim’s wife and grandchild.

The shocking incident stunned residents in the once war-torn part of west Belfast.

But many Ballymurphy residents heaved a collective sigh of relief this week when 33-year-old father of four Gerard Devlin was sent to prison for 12 and a half years.

“It was a long time coming, but at least for the foreseeable future, Gerard Devlin will be off the streets and the people of Ballymurphy can rest easy in their beds,” said one long-term resident.

Two years ago last month, Ballymurphy woman Michelle McMullan (46) was standing in her garden near a supermarket when she noticed Devlin having a fist fight with one of his relatives a short distance away.

Suddenly, Mrs McMullan – who was holding her young grandchild in her arms – spotted Devlin jumping over fences as he made straight for her.

Fearing she was about to be attacked for no reason, Mrs McMullan – who had never previously spoken to Devlin in her life – shouted: “Gerard, I have a child here!”

But ignoring her pleas, Devlin continued to home in on his quarry.

Mrs McMullan’s husband Hugh – who was returning from a nearby shop – sensed danger and he immediately raced to his wife’s aid.

A split second before Devlin was able to land a blow on the terrified woman, her husband Hugh managed to reach her and thwart the attack.

Filled with a lethal cocktail of drugs and alcohol, Devlin then turned his attention to Hugh McMullan.

Devlin punched the entirely innocent man on side of the head. And then – in a moment of savagery – he grabbed Mr McMullan and put his fingers into his eyes.

It was at that point Devlin leaned forward and bit off the tip of his nose.

And as he did so, Devlin let out what was described in court this week as a “victory roar”.

A short distance away, Devlin, who was described by neighbours as being in a “crazed state”, stopped in a garden to spit out the tip of Mr McMullan’s nose,

And seconds later he attacked another man, who was innocently standing on his own doorstep.

As heavily armed police accompanied by dog handlers began to flood into the area, Devlin raced across Ballymurphy Road and into the home of one of his aunts.

Arming himself with two knives, he barricaded himself inside the house, refusing to come outside despite repeated police demands.

He threw plant pots at police who were trying to persuade him to surrender.

After an hour, a highly trained Swat team then forced an entry at the property where they immediately tasered the deranged man twice.

Despite this, Devlin continued fight the PSNI officers who were determined to arrest him.

Eventually, the drug-addled man was overpowered and removed from the scene.

At the same time as the siege was under way, members of the McMullan family rushed grandfather Hugh to hospital by car, where doctors carried out emergency treatment to stem the large flow of blood.

Two hours later, the missing tip of Hugh McMullan’s nose was located in a nearby garden, but doctors were unable to graft it back onto the injured man’s face.

As Devlin stood in the dock at the Crown Court in Belfast this week, the judge described the incident as a “totally unprovoked assault” and as a “vicious, violent and disgusting act”.

Initially Devlin denied charges of wounding with intent and the attempted theft of a mobile phone.

But when the charges were put to him again earlier this year, he pleaded guilty.

Prior to sentencing Devlin, Judge Irvine heard submissions from the prosecution and defence.

A prosecution barrister said that around 11am on August 6 2021, police in west Belfast received a report that “Devlin was kicking off in Ballymurphy”.

And the Crown solicitor outlined the facts surrounding the attack on Hugh McMullan.

The court heard how 50 per cent of the victim’s septum is now missing. The injury has left a large void in his nasal passages and he has difficulty breathing.

And the prosecution added that the “social impact” on Mr McMullan as well as the “significant psychological impact” cannot be underestimated.

The court also heard how before carrying out the attack, Devlin had consumed a near lethal cocktail comprising of crack cocaine, vodka and Buckfast.

A defence barrister said his client’s chronic drug addiction was linked to major childhood trauma.

And he said Devlin had expressed remorse for his actions and he wished to apologise to the injured man.

But addressing Devlin directly, Judge Irvine told him: “It was a vicious, violent and disgusting act on your part on a totally innocent man, resulting in dreadful consequences for him.

“And your behaviour, both before and after the assault, was appalling.”

Judge Irvine explained that as Devlin was deemed dangerous, an extended custodial sentence was necessary to protect the public.

As he was being led away, Devlin asked: “Can I say something?” The judge told him he could not.

Ignoring him, Devlin shouted: “Nine years in jail? A person murdered my father and you gave him less.”

Devlin was referring to an incident in Ballymurphy 17 years ago, when his father also Gerard was stabbed to death during a street fight.

It sparked a campaign of intimidation which resulted in the entire Notarantonio family leaving Ballymurphy, a part of west Belfast where they had lived since the later 1950s.

Several houses belonging to the family were gutted in a series of arson attacks.

Hugh and Michelle McMullan are currently on holiday with their family.

But yesterday, Michelle’s mum Rosaleen Campbell told the Sunday World: “Michelle and Hugh are still traumatised about what happened two years ago.

“And of course they are trying to protect their children. It was a dreadful thing to happen to innocent people.”

Fingering a set of rosary beads she keeps permanently around her neck, Mrs Campbell added: “Too many people around here lost loved ones as a result of violence and we all need believe in the power of prayer.”