Douglas Ward
Douglas Ward will appear before the Court of Criminal Appeal in Dublin today in a bid to get his sentence reduced for the killing of teenager Niall Dorr in Dundalk in 2010.
The 39-year-old father of four will be appealing against the severity of his 16-year prison sentence, which was handed down two years ago this Sunday.
Ward, with an address at 7 Loughantarve, Knockbridge, admitted the manslaughter of the 18-year-old on the Castle Road on October 13th 2010.
At the time the court heard that Mr Dorr, from Avondale Park, was acting as a peacemaker and trying to break up a row when Ward attacked him.
Mr Justice Paul Carney said at the time that it was totally unacceptable to kick someone in the head leading to brain damage.
He said it was an aggravating factor that Ward was on bail at the time he committed the offence although the judge did suspend the final three years of the sentence.
Mr Dorr was with two friends on the Castle Road on October 13th 2010 when a group, including Ward, approached them at around 9pm and a row broke out.
Mr Dorr, a champion kickboxer, was trying to stop the row and keep the peace when Ward repeatedly punched and kicked him in the head.
Ward did not know Mr Dorr, but he ripped the teenager’s shirt off him and continued to attack him even when he was unresponsive.
He left zigzag shoe marks on the teenager’s forehead and the side of his head after he punched, stamped and kicked him.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Patrick Marry said Mr Dorr sustained irrevocable brain damage.
