A father and his two sons attacked mourners at a funeral wake, throwing glasses and gouging eyes, leaving a lorry driver scarred for life.
Violence erupts at wake
Liam Redmond, 61, and his sons Liam, 25, and Luke, 23, were involved in a 'large scale fight' at Prenton Golf Club in Wirral, which descended into 'something akin to a bar room brawl'. The court heard the atmosphere was peaceful until last orders, when staff became aware of Redmond Snr arguing near the bar.
The trio, described as 'squaring up and showboating', were asked to leave, but a fight broke out as they reached the exit. It was allegedly triggered by another man putting his arm around Redmond Snr's daughter, not knowing they were related, in an attempt to keep her inside.
Injuries and aftermath
During the brawl, one of the younger Redmonds threw a pint glass into the crowd, hitting the manager on the head and requiring hospital treatment. Witnesses saw Redmond Snr throwing punches and 'shoving his thumbs' into people's eyes.
The lorry driver suffered a split nose and glass fragments in his eye. In a statement, he said: 'I don't really go out much anymore so that I don't have to explain it to people. I no longer pop down to the pub. I get nervous about strange places and people. I was always easy going and could chat to anyone. I always enjoyed a laugh and socialising, but not anymore.'
Sentencing
Redmond Snr has 16 previous convictions for 24 offences, including attempted wounding. He was spared jail in 2022 for affray after a fight at a hotel following a funeral. His sons have no previous convictions. All three pleaded guilty to affray.
Redmond Snr received a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation and alcohol monitoring requirements. His sons were given 12-month community orders with unpaid work and compensation payments.
Judge Garrett Byrne said: 'You were all in attendance at a wake at Prenton Golf Club. You, along with everybody, it seems to me, were under the influence of alcohol. There appears to have been some words said, and a fight broke out. This was, on any view, an entirely disgraceful event. All three of you should be ashamed of yourselves.'
