KNIFE ATTACK: THIS IS JOHN GIBBONS WHO STABBED MARTIN COYLE IN THE BACK
VILLAGERS appalled at the release of a self-confessed thug who attacked the owners of their local pub say they will oppose any plans for him to serve a community service sentence in their village.
Fanad man John Gibbons, 26, was sentenced to 240 hours community service earlier this week after admitting his part on a sustained attack on Kerrykeel couple Martin and Laura Coyle.
Mr Coyle was stabbed in the back in the vicious attack carried out by Gibbons and his brother Joe in October 2010. Mrs Coyle was also battered in the incident at The Village Inn.
The attack was revenge for Gibbons’ being barred from the premises.
The Coyles yesterday criticised the community service sentence handed down by Judge John O’Hagan.
The judge insisted the community service did not mean Gibbons, who already had a conviction for assault, had got off with his crimes. He also said his guilty plea had saved the Coyles having to give evidence.
The Coyles however say they will ask the DPP to raise the sentence with the Attorney General on the grounds they believe the sentence was unduly lenient.
People in Kerrykeel however are also furious and say they will oppose any attempts by the Probation Service to implement Gibbons’ sentence in their village.
“The very idea that this thug would be put to work picking up litter from our streets makes me sick,” said one resident.
“We don’t want him in Kerrykeel; it would be awful to see him out there,” said another local man.
“We are peaceful people and if that’s what they do, there’s not much we can about it but we will get a petition going if necessary. Emotions are running high right now and Gibbons back on our streets will not go down well around here.”
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