Man left brother with brain injury after "vicious" assault while "mentally unstable"

A Ballina man has received a three and a half year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his guilty plea to assaulting his brother in May 2016. Gordon Rodgers attacked David Rodgers at Dunard Road, Blackhorse Avenue, Cabra, Dublin 7, causing a fractured skull, broken ribs and elbow, and internal bleeding. The victim spent time in a coma and took considerable time to recover. Garda evidence indicated Rodgers had been self-medicating with alcohol and cannabis at the time and was subsequently hospitalised for severe mental health difficulties. Judge Martin Nolan described the assault as vicious and prolonged, but noted Rodgers was mentally unstable when the incident occurred. The judge acknowledged Rodgers' engagement with psychiatric services, his medication compliance, and that his brother had forgiven him. No evidence suggested he would repeat such behaviour.