Thomas E. O'Donnell (judge)
His Honour Judge Thomas E. O'Donnell | |
|---|---|
| Judge of the Circuit Court | |
| Assumed office 2011 | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Mary McAleese |
| Judge of the District Court | |
| In office 1998–2011 | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Mary McAleese |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1954 Limerick |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin |
Thomas E. O'Donnell is a judge of the Irish Circuit Court since 2011.[1] Prior to his appointment, he was a judge of the Irish District Court from 1998.[2]
Born in Limerick of a distinguished legal family[3] he was educated at Crescent College, Limerick and at Mungret College, Limerick. He studied law at University College Dublin and was enrolled as a solicitor in 1976.[4] He was assigned as judge of the District Court for Limerick City in 1999,[5] where he was "highly regarded".[6] In 2014, he was assigned as the sole Judge for the South Western circuit,[7] which includes the counties of Limerick, Clare and Kerry, and in part coincides geographically with the old Munster Circuit[8] described by Maurice Healy. Judge O'Donnell has three sons. His second son, Mark O'Donnell, represented the Qatar International Rugby team in the 2016 West Asian Division 3 Championship, having qualified under the three year residency rule.[9]
Cathal Crotty verdict[edit]
On 20 June 2024, Judge O'Donnell caused controversy in his ruling for Cathal Crotty, a 22-year-old private in the Defence Forces who pleaded guilty to assaulting 24-year-old Natasha O'Brien in Limerick. Crotty, who boasted and bragged about the assault on social media the night of the attack, received a three-year fully suspended sentence from Judge O'Donnell.[10]
Ms O'Brien criticised the sentence and said: "I lost my job because of his (Crotty's) actions, because I was so impacted by what he did, but this judge doesn't want to jail him because it will mean he will lose his job."[11]
Reaction on social media denounced the sentence as outrageous, disgraceful and lacking any real justice and declaring their support for O'Brien. Politicians of all levels commended Natasha O'Brien and condemned violence against women. Women's Aid CEO Sarah Benson said that a verdict which saw a soldier avoiding a jail term after beating a woman unconscious, calls into question Ireland's national strategy of zero tolerance of violence against women.[10]
Aaron Holland verdict[edit]
Aaron Holland (19) carried out an unprovoked attack on a homeless vulnerable man with two other males. The attack was described by the sentencing judge, Tom O'Donnell as “absolutely and utterly appalling, and outrageous” according to the Irish Times. However, despite this, the judge stated: “This was a savage and cowardly outing by the three people involved – it deserves a custodial sentence – but I take into account that the accused [Holland] has no previous convictions, and he has come forward on a signed guilty plea”.
The judge did not impose an immediate custodial sentence on Holland, because Holland had pleaded guilty and had no previous convictions.
Pat Ryan granted appeal[edit]
Pat Ryan pleaded guilty to lying during criminal proceedings against him over alleged speeding. The judge, Tom O'Donnell, granted Ryan an appeal. Even though, perjury is an offence, the judge stated that “the impact of a conviction of this nature would be completely disproportionate”.
References[edit]
- ^ "Appointment to the Circuit Court". Merrion Street Irish Government News Service. 13 April 2011.
- ^ "Judge Thomas E O'Donnell". Association of Judges of Ireland.
- ^ "Judge Thomas E O'Donnell". Association of Judges of Ireland.
- ^ "Appointment to the Circuit Court". Merrion Street Irish Government News Service. 13 April 2011.
- ^ "Judge Tom O'Donnell nominated to Circuit Court". Limerick Post. 15 April 2011.
- ^ "Tom O'Donnell appointed to Circuit Court". Limerick Leader. 15 April 2011.
- ^ "New judge appointed to fill Circuit Court vacancy in Kerry". Radio Kerry. 1 December 2014.
- ^ The Old Munster Circuit, Michael Joseph Ltd. London 1939
- ^ "Qatar National XVs Squad Announced". Gulf Times. 11 April 2016.
- ^ a b "Soldier avoids jail term after beating woman unconscious". RTE News. 20 June 2024.
- ^ Raleigh, David (20 June 2024). "Soldier who 'took pride' in beating woman unconscious in Limerick street avoids jail". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 25 June 2024.