‘The torture he was put through will haunt me for the rest of my life’

THE parents of Dale Creighton, the young Tallaght man who died after he was attacked on New Year’s Day 2014 have said they can never forgive those involved.

Five men have pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Creighton.

One man has pleaded guilty to possession of a knife, while a woman has admitted violent disorder during the attack on the Charlie O’Toole footbridge across the Tallaght bypass.

He died in hospital the next day after he had been punched and kicked and lifted off the ground.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Creighton’s mother Rhoda Smith described him as a lovely, quiet and handsome man who was due to start a carpentry course.

She said she can never erase the memories of seeing her son’s injuries in hospital after the attack.

“The torture and fear he was put through will haunt me for the rest of my life”, she said.

Shortly after Ms Smith arrived at the hospital she contacted her parents to also come.

“A decision was made to transfer him to Beaumont Hospital. I was allowed to see Dale for a few minutes, the sight of my son lying there will never be erased from my memory.

“His head and face had swollen to twice its size, none of his teeth were visible and I thought they had been knocked out. All we could do in Beaumont Hospital was watch and pray as we weren’t allow to touch Dale or even kiss away his pain,” she said.

In his victim impact statement, Mr Creighton’s father Darren said his son had been left unrecognisable after the attack and he could not believe a human being could do this to another.

The donation of his son’s organs allowed five people to live, he added.

He said he lost his best pal that night and now every day he wakes up to a nightmare.

The seven people before the court are Aisling Burke, 23, who has pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Her 28-year-old brother David Burke, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Both have a current address at Beechpark, Collinstown, Co Westmeath.

Graham Palmer, 26, with a current address at Park Avenue, Portarlington, Co Laois; Ross Callery, 23, currently of Gortlum Cottages, Brittas, Co Dublin; Jason Beresford, 23, of Coill Diarmuida, Ard a’ Laoi, Castledermot, Co Kildare and Gerard Stevens, 27, currently of Grosvener Square, Rathmines, also pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

James Reid, 26, currently of Glen Aoibhinn, Gorey, Co Wexford, pleaded guilty to possession of a knife.

The judge has indicated that sentences will be imposed in January.