Man bound to peace over assault at funeral of Carrey’s ex-girlfriend
A DECORATED war hero and the brother of Hollywood actor Jim Carrey’s late girlfriend was bound to the peace for assaulting two brothers following a dispute arising from his sister’s funeral.
James White (33) pleaded guilty to assaults on two brothers arising from a photograph he believed was taken at her funeral.
Judge Elizabeth MacGrath warned that it was “a very foolish action” by Mr White.
“(But) I do note that it was predicated by a sense of sheer grief over the loss of his sister,” she said.
“Mr White is not of any danger to any members of the public.”
The judge noted Mr White had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the offences at the earliest opportunity and had expressed sincere remorse.
She bound him to the peace for 12 months in his own bond of €500.
The judge also directed that he pay €426 in expenses to the two victims.
Mr White, of Cappawhite, Co Tipperary, received the Military Cross from Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 for his heroism during an action in Afghanistan with the Parachute Regiment.
He pleaded guilty before Thurles District Court to assaults on Peter and Thomas Delaney arising from an incident in Dundrum, Co Tipperary, in November 2015.
Judge MacGrath examined a special Probation and Welfare Service report.
“I note that restorative justice is not suitable in this matter,” she said.’
“The victims did not wish to meet with Mr White and did not wish to accept his apology.”
She heard that the assaults arose from photographs Mr White believed were taken at the funeral of his sister, Cathriona White (30), in October 2015.
Ms White was the former girlfriend of Jim Carrey and there was substantial media coverage of her funeral in Cappawhite.
“It arose from a photograph that was taken at your client’s sister’s funeral,” Judge MacGrath said.
“(It led to) the unfortunate course of action that he did.”
Defence solicitor Colin Morrissey said: “He accepts it was terrible behaviour on his part (that day).”
Ms White (30) died in tragic circumstances in Los Angeles in September 2015.
She had been involved in an intermittent relationship with Hollywood actor Carrey, the star of such films as ‘The Mask’, ‘Ace Ventura Pet Detective’ and ‘Bruce Almighty’.
Mr Carrey flew to Tipperary to support the White family during Cathriona’s funeral.
He said she was “a beautiful person” and “too fragile a flower” for this world.