Kildare brothers commit assault after remark about Tyson Fury bout

Two brothers from Kildare have been jailed for eight months after boxing-related banter in a pub bathroom following a televised fight led to an assault.

The victim had been in a pub with friends watching the Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk boxing match in December 2024, when he overheard banter while he was using a restroom cubicle.

The man shouted “up Usyk” and was assaulted by brothers Larry and Michael Connors, sustaining a chipped tooth, bruising, swelling and cuts to his face.

Larry Connors (32) and Michael Connors (34) both with addresses at Millfield Close, Newbridge pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin on 21 December 2024.

They are both currently serving a sentence for affray imposed by Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court last February and had been due for release in November. They have been in custody since their arrest in December 2024.

Garda Michael Walsh told Simon Donagh BL, prosecuting, that following the boxing match the injured party was using the restroom and made the comment “up Usyk” after hearing banter.

He remembers hitting the ground, getting up and being hit again.

Counsel agreed with Judge Martin Nolan that “someone was on the side of Tyson Fury”.

The man was assisted by security staff and the two accused, who were in the process of leaving when gardaí arrived, were arrested. They both began behaving aggressively and gardaí had to call for assistance.

CCTV footage showed Michael initiating the incident but Larry using the greatest force.

There was no victim impact statement before the court.

The garda agreed with Kieran Kelly BL, defending Larry Connors, that there had been no prior contact between the parties before the bathroom incident.

Mr Kelly said Larry had seen his brother interacting with a person and spontaneously reacted as he did.

He said he gone into use the urinals and had not yet adjusted his trousers when he came on the scene.

He said his client had written a letter starting with a heartfelt apology and has €1,500 in court He said he is a married father of two, with one of his children needing additional care.

He said several tragic bereavements had put his client on a downward spiral.

The garda agreed with Greg Murphy BL, defending Michael Connors, that his client had pushed the injured party to the ground but then tried to break it up after Larry became involved.

Mr Murphy said the push had been as far as the assault went in relation to Michael Connors and he then turned into a “peacemaker” to de-escalate the situation. Michael had also brought €1,500 to court.

He said his client was also a married man with five children.

He said Michael is doing well in custody but has turned a corner and wishes to get home to his family. He asked the court not to extend his time in custody.

Judge Nolan said on the night in question Michael Connors had not liked a comment that was made, then his brother misinterpreted what was happening and began throwing punches.

He said people were entitled to express their views and you cannot attack people for what they say.

Judge Nolan noted both men were sorry, that they have good work histories and will return to stable situations on their release, where people are missing them.

He imposed a sentence of 20 months with the final year suspended on conditions including that they hand over the €3,000 to the garda to be offered to the victims or - if not accepted - donated to charity.