'Appalling act' of St. Patrick's night violence at Mayo kebab shop recalled
Two men attacked a garda and staff at a kebab shop in Castlebar during an “appalling act” of St. Patrick’s night violence, a court has heard.
Dylan Pyne, aged 23, of The Close, Mahon Drive, Blackrock, Co. Cork, and a co-accused who cannot be named because he was under the age of 18 at the time of the offence, appeared before a sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court where they both pleaded guilty to assault offences.
Judge Eoin Garavan was told that gardaí were called to Castle Kebab House on New Antrim Street in Castlebar at 12.20 a.m. on March 18, 2024.
Pyne and his teenage co-accused reacted violently when they were refused entry to the toilets of the premises because they were not customers. Pyne, who was wearing three large rings on his hand, inflicted cuts and bruises to the head of a staff member.
CCTV footage of the incident was played in court.
Following the initial altercation with staff, both men could be seen trying to leap over the counter in the restaurant.
At one stage, Pyne left the premises but returned moments later wearing just a vest having removed his jumper.
Sergeant Paul Maher arrived at the scene and was assaulted from behind by both men. Pyne also latched onto the leg of the garda. A total of six gardaí had to be called to the scene and the two defendants were arrested.
The court heard that Pyne has one previous conviction while his co-accused does not have any previous convictions.
A victim impact statement from one of the kebab shop victims was read into court. The man said he felt scared after the incident and left the business and the area as a result.
“Again, a St. Patrick’s Day special,” commented Judge Garavan.
“This was an appalling act of violence,” the judge added.
Judge Garavan adjourned sentencing but said a “custodial sentence is sure to follow”.
He branded the men “thugs” and remanded the pair in custody until Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court on February 24, 2026.
(Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme).