Courts / Dublin / Report
Suspended sentence for man who broke stranger's nose in Coppers
Summary
In a case heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Kelvin Lynch, aged 24, received a suspended sentence after assaulting Barry Fitzgerald in Copperface Jack's nightclub on Harcourt Street. Lynch had ordered drinks and, believing Fitzgerald had taken his change, grabbed him by the hand and head‑butted him, causing a broken nose and front tooth. The incident occurred on 19 April 2015, when Fitzgerald was in the city centre watching a Dublin match and had visited two pubs before arriving at the nightclub around 2 a.m. Lynch pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. The judge, Melanie Greally, noted the violence was "characteristic of a culture of people feeling they can engage in very significant violence for very little reason." She imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended for three years, and ordered Lynch to pay €5,000 to Fitzgerald as a token of remorse. Lynch has no prior convictions and works in human resources.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for man who broke stranger's nose in Coppers. Charges or matters: assault causing harm in the nightclub on Harcourt Street on April 19, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 19, 2015 Incident
- 2016-11-15 Publication
Why: A man has been given a suspended sentence for breaking a stranger's nose in Copperface Jack's nightclub because he thought he had taken his change. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm in the nightclub on Harcourt Street on April 19, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally said the attack "is characteristic of a culture of people feeling they can engage in very significant violence for very little reason." She imposed a three year sentence which she suspended for three years and ordered that the money be paid over to Mr Fitzgerald.
Places mentioned
- Wolfe Tone Street
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Harcourt Street
Topics
Pubs And Nightclubs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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