THE LATE Christy Hanley’s niece, Breeda Harvey, told the court that Noel Cawley was a “monster” who showed no remorse for killing an “extraordinary, kind, respectful old man”.
Before delivering a moving victim impact statement on behalf of the family, Ms Harvey confirmed Mr Hanley had been a bachelor with relatives in Dublin, Limerick and Birmingham in England.
Ms Harvey told the court her late father was Mr Hanley’s brother. Mr Hanley had also been predeceased by two sisters, one of whom had died the year before he was killed.
“Christy was getting ready to go and visit Hannah’s grave. She would’ve been dead a year,” Ms Harvey said. Mr Hanley had another eight nieces and four nephews, she added.
Ms Harvey then read from the victim impact statement she had prepared, saying she was speaking on behalf of her 75-year-old mother and the extended family.
“The entire family are shocked and sickened at the unnecessary violence that was unleashed upon Christy,” she said.
Ms Harvey gave a physical description of her uncle, saying the 83-year-old was five foot in height and of a slight build.
“He posed no threat to Noel Cawley as he was unable to defend himself from such a brutal and sadistic attack in his own home,” she said.
Ms Harvey said her mother had suffered two strokes since Mr Hanley’s death, which she said were believed by the family to have been brought on by shock at what had happened.
“She is unable to come to terms with the level of violence used on a defenceless old man – the pain, the fear and terror he suffered in his final hours. This monster shows no remorse for what he done to Christy,” she said.
“He pushed his way uninvited into the lives of our family in pursuit of his own gratification, and ended the life of an extraordinary, kind, respectful old man who is sorely missed.”
Mr Hanley’s death had shaken the extended family, she said.
Ms Harvey said she wanted to take the opportunity to thank the gardaí involved in the case. She singled out Sgt Gerry Lennon by name.
She also thanked the witnesses who had come forward, and the community of Kilbeggan for its support.
Ms Harvey looked grimly at Cawley as she left the witness box, and walked slowly down the courtroom towards the public gallery where the rest of the family sat.
She turned her head to keep her eyes on him as she passed the bench where he sat, but Cawley kept his eyes forward and did not meet her gaze.
Cawley (47), had been brought into the courtroom shortly before 11.30am. He rubbed his wrists after his handcuffs were removed and sat impassively with his head cocked slightly towards the judge’s bench. He was wearing a black sports jacket and black and silver striped tie.
Det Sgt Eamon Curley, who arrested Cawley on O’Connell Street in Dublin, told the court that Cawley was a “transient individual”. There was no record of him ever having held gainful employment.
Det Sgt Curley detailed Cawley’s 12 previous convictions for offences including burglary, larceny, theft and attempted rape. The mention of the last offence provoked “tut-tuts” from the public gallery.
There was a similar reaction when the court heard Mr Hanley had been left tied up tightly with his arms behind his back, his trousers pulled down and a coat thrown over his head.
Alex Owens SC had earlier told the court that there were no mitigating factors in the case from the prosecution’s perspective.
Defence counsel, Patrick Gageby SC, said Cawley was “not a stranger to trouble” but had stayed out of trouble for three years.
He said “some attribution of decency” should be given to his client for telephoning gardaí after the assault.
