STREET ASSAULT | 

Two thugs found guilty after kicking Sligo teen unconscious in front of his father

Ethan McMorrow was knocked unconscious, then kicked and stomped in the head

© Sligo Champion

Yesterday at 15:00

Two young men have been remanded in custody for sentencing after being found guilty of assaulting a father and son as they walked along a Sligo street.

A jury of six men and six women took and an hour and 33 minutes to return to Sligo Circuit Court with their unanimous decision that Jack Gorevan (24) of Cranmore Place and Justin Gethins (22) of Langan Drive, Cranmore were guilty of assault causing harm to Ethan McMorrow (20) and with committing causing violent disorder on September 1, 2021 at Pearse Road.

The jury also found Justin Gethins guilty of assault on Darren McMorrow (40) on the same date and at the same location.

The three day trial heard how father and son. Darren and Ethan McMorrow had walked from their home at Caltragh Heights into town at around 3.40pm where they intended to get their Covid vaccine when they were confronted by a group of young men near the traffic lights at the junction of Pearse Road and St. Brigid’s Place.

On the date of the incident Gorevan was 21 and Gethins was 19. Ethan McMorrow was 17 at the time and his father, Darren was 37.

Gorevan was represented by Ms Delia Flynn SC with Mr Eoin McGovern BL, instructed by Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor while Mr Colm Smyth SC with Mr Eugene Deering BL appeared on behalf of Gethins, instructed by Mr Tom MacSharry, solicitor.

The court heard how Ethan McMorrow was knocked unconscious and subsequently required treatment in hospital after being knocked to the ground and kicked and stomped in the head. His father was struck in the head while he was also kicked in the side as he fell to the ground. They both identified the defendants as being the ones who assaulted them.

Witnesses described how they saw a young man being repeatedly kicked in the head as he lay on the ground

Mr Leo Mulrooney, BL, (prosecuting) instructed by State Solicitor, Ms Elisa McHugh asked that the court remand both defendants in custody before sentencing.

Judge Kenneth Connolly remanded both defendants in custody until May 2 and requested the preparation of a Victim Impact Statements.

Gorevan was represented by Ms Delia Flynn SC with Mr Eoin McGovern BL, instructed by Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor while Mr Colm Smyth SC with Mr Eugene Deering BL appeared on behalf of Gethins, instructed by Mr Tom MacSharry, solicitor.