Proceedings at Ennis District Court were suspended after Brian Joyce took down his pants in front of Judge Patrick Durcan

A MAN who "mooned" at a judge in court has been hospitalised after he was severely beaten in prison.

Brian Joyce (21) was savagely attacked in a showers area of Limerick Prison on Sunday and suffered a fractured skull.

Prison officers found him in a pool of his own blood.

Last night, Joyce (inset) who is from Ennis, Co Clare, remained in a serious condition in hospital. He is not expected to be well enough to show up for a hearing at the local district court tomorrow.

Sources said that jail bosses have not identified who attacked Joyce in the showers, but are investigating whether a Limerick criminal was behind the brutal assault.

Targeted

Expand Close A file photo of Brian Joyce. Credit: Press 22 Picture Credit: Brian Gavin Pres / Facebook

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Whatsapp A file photo of Brian Joyce. Credit: Press 22

"This man suffered a depressed fracture to his skull. It seems that this was a targeted attack which involves associates of the young man on the outside," a source said last night.

Brian Joyce has been in custody since last Friday's proceedings at Ennis District Court were suspended after he took down his pants in front of Judge Patrick Durcan.

Joyce turned his back on the judge and started beating his behind with his hands after the judge refused bail to the man's brother, John Joyce (18).

With his pants around his ankles Brian Joyce turned around and handled his penis and shouted at the judge.

Reinforcements

About five gardai were in court at the time and Garda reinforcements were called to deal with the disturbance.

As gardai restrained the 21-year-old and his 18-year-old brother, the judge retreated from his bench into his adjoining chambers.

The two Joyces - both of St Enda's, Beechpark, Ennis - were before the court charged with assaulting a 17-year-old male.

At the resumed hearing, the judge remanded the two men in custody.

Speaking after court, Garda Inspector Tom Kennedy described what happened during the hearing as "unbelievable".

"In all my time working in court, I never seen an indecent display like I witnessed today.

"What happened was incredible and to see someone moon at a judge and then show his genitals to the court and hold them in his hand was an affront to the administration of justice in the court.

"Why someone would do that, I just don't know," he said.

Inspector Kennedy described the situation in court as "tense and explosive".

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