Violent schizophrenic who launched brutal assault on men jailed

A 56-year-old man has been jailed for attacking two others outside a pub in Holywood in an“utterly brutal” assault.

Paranoid schizophrenic Paul Darragh was handed an extended custodial sentence after being deemed a “dangerous offender”.

The father-of-one, from Palace Mews in Holywood, was handed a nine-year sentence, with an additional four years’ licence imposed. He appeared at yesterday’s remote hearing via a video-link from Knockbracken Healthcare Park.

Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard one of Darragh’s victims sustained brain damage in the attack, which occurred outside the Stoker’s Halt on January 19 last year.

CCTV captured Darragh talkthe ing to the two men inside the pub, but when all three left the premises at around 11pm Darragh punched the pair and knocked them to the ground before kicking them several times in the head.

Following his arrest and while on remand Darragh was transferred to Knockbracken’s Shannon Clinic.

Judge Miller noted Darragh’s “long and troubling history of mental ill-health”, which he said has been worsened by alcohol and drugs.

Also noted was Darragh’s long criminal record, which included convictions for sexual and violent offences.

A defence submission claimed that Darragh believed he was going to be attacked when he left the bar, with an independent witness overhearing the word “paedophile” being used.

judge said that while this may have impacted on Darragh’s “skewered thinking” and mental wellbeing at the time, there could be no justification for the violent incident.

Judge Miller described the attacks as “utterly brutal” and said Darragh displayed “a complete and utter disregard for either victim, both of whom were already lying prone on the ground unconscious when he kicked each several times to the head”.

Judge Miller said that as Darragh was deemed to be a dangerous offender he was imposing an enhanced custodial sentence.

He was given a nine-year sentence, but as he has been deemed dangerous, he will not automatically be released on licence after serving half his sentence. Instead, he’ll be assessed for suitability for release after serving four-and-a-half years.