Two brothers, one of whom is a teenager, have been jailed for a “brutal, merciless and remorseless” attack, which left the victim with life-changing injuries, including the loss of sight in one eye.

Coupled with this and a record of 175 convictions including many high violence matters, the elder brother was given an extended prison sentence, having been categorised as presenting a serious risk to the public.

Ryan Gerard McGlinchey (37) and James McGlinchey (19) both of Mill Street, Fintona caused grievous bodily harm to one male, Emmet Tunney and assaulted a second during an incident just over a year ago on July 19, 2019.

Both men were on bail for relevant offending at the time of the attack, in which they chased the victims armed with weapons, subjecting Mr. Tunney to a savage attack.

The victims were making their way home from a night out drinking, when they stopped at the McGlinchey’s home.

The older brother claimed he was woken by his heavily pregnant partner in a distressed state having heard the victims singing republican songs and threatening her and the unborn child.

These were, “particularly offensive to Ryan McGlinchey who saw red”, and armed with a hatchet and accompanied by his younger brother, in turn armed with a bar, stormed from the house and chased the victims down.

One victim managed to get away and hide but recalled hearing Mr. Tunney screaming in pain.

CCTV showed the sustained attack, with James McGlinchey striking at least 25 times, while his older brother struck around five times and kicked the victim as he lay on the ground. Ryan McGlinchey’s partner was observed running to the scene, and the attack halted.

Both defendants were arrested and remanded in custody for a time, but the younger brother was later granted bail. They initially pleaded not guilty but accepted all when re-arraigned earlier this year.

Judge Paul Ramsey QC noted Mr. Tunney’s right eye-ball was ruptured in the attack and subsequently all vison has been lost. He also sustained numerous other injuries including a fractured eye-socket and nose and requires reconstructive surgery.

As a result Mr. Tunney has unable to continue in his long-term employment, is fearful of reprisals and remains deeply traumatised. He is struggling to accept the loss of sight in one eye, having remained hopeful it would eventually return.

In respect of Ryan McGlinchey, who appeared by video-link from Maghaberry Prison, Judge Ramsay pointed to 175 previous convictions including serious assaults, kidnapping, offensive weapons possession and threats to kill.

While the prosecution accepted the incident may have been started by the victims stopping at the McGlinchey home, there was no suggestion the brothers were under threat or danger at any stage.

The judge held James McGlinchey was much influenced by his older brother and that relationship is now broken down irrevocably.

He found one feature of the case, “unsettling and indeed troubling”.

“While I accept Ryan McGlinchey reacted impulsively, he embarked on a sustained, savage assault having pursued his victim. He only sems to have stopped when his girlfriend and mother of his unborn child arrived at the scene. He should be grateful her intervention occurred, because I suspect he would have faced even graver charges had he continued.”

Turning to sentencing, Judge Ramsey said: “This was on any view a brutal, remorseless, merciless attack on a defenceless victim. His companion was also exposed to a very frightening traumatic incident … The behaviour of the McGlincheys was utterly indefensible.”

Ryan McGlinchey was handed an extended seven year prison term, with two years on licence.

James McGlinchey was jailed for five years, with two years on licence. Judge Ramsey said: “I make this distinction because of his youth and acting under the influence of his brother. But I can’t overlook the savage nature of this attack.”

The judge concluded by ordering the younger brother to surrender himself to be taken into custody.