3 BROTHERS AVOID JAIL15 OVER HURLEY ATTACK

‘Bad blood’ blamed for families’ fight

THREE brothers were spared prison yesterday after a “revenge attack’’ with a hurley against a rival family more than three years ago.

Jason Phillips, Kevin Phillips, and Michael Phillips, all pleaded guilty to affray.

Also in the dock at Belfast Crown Court was 41-yerar-old Finton Geraghty of Aughrim Court, Dunmurry, who admitted assisting offenders.

Prosecutor Robin Steer said Kevin Phillips was in Housing Executive offices in Great Victoria Street on May 21, 2014, at around 2.30pm with his three-year-old son when he was attacked by two men, one armed with a crutch. One of those involved was a member of the Mccomb family and Belfast Recorder Judge David Mcfarland heard there was “bad blood’’ between the Phillips and the Mccomb families.

The court heard Kevin Phillips, 33, of Old Road, Maghaberry, then rang his friend Finton Geraghty who drove brothers Jason and Michael Phillips to the scene in his Skoda Octavia. A traffic attendant saw

three men running towards Robinson’s bar where Kevin Phillips’ attackers were sitting.

Witnesses later told police Jason Phillips, 28, of Hertford Crescent, Lisburn, was “swinging the hurley like an axe” at a man who sustained two lacerations to his head.

The second victim had a glass smashed at him and sustained a number of cuts.

Kevin Phillips punched one of the men to the head while Michael Phillips, 35, of Hannahstown Road, Belfast, was described as “grappling” with the victims.

Police arrived and Michael Phillips was arrested after falling to the ground and Jason Phillips was later held, with DNA found on the man he attacked.

Defence barrister Sean O’hare said there had been “bad blood” between the Phillip and Mccomb families.

The four defendants have 252 previous convictions between them.

Judge David Mcfarland said he would suspend prison terms as there had been no “further flare-ups”.

He sentenced Jason Phillips to two years in custody, Kevin Philips and Michael Philips to 18 months in jail and Finton Geraghty to 12 months custody.

All sentences were suspended for two years.

BENCH WARMER Time out from Black Friday’s Belfast sales PRICE DROP GAP lures shoppers through the door BAGGED A BARGAIN Lads are loaded down

WEAPON A hurley was wielded by one brother