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Dublin man who bit off large part of stranger's ear in pub attack jailed for three years
Summary
Darren Byrne, 34, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for biting off a large portion of Niall Kearns' ear during an unprovoked pub attack at The Village Inn, Clondalkin, on 23 June 2012. Byrne pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. He claimed he was on heavy medication and believed six men were attacking him, which he used as a defence. The judge, Martin Nolan, described the assault as "a savage attack" and noted it was at the highest level of the offence. Byrne had 15 prior convictions for minor matters. The victim, Kearns, reported that Byrne had been growling in his ear and that the ear could not be re‑attached by surgeons. The sentence was imposed despite Byrne's health issues and claims of being a former heroin addict. The case was prosecuted by Fiona McGowan BL and defended by Garnet Orange SC.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dublin man who bit off large part of stranger's ear in pub attack jailed for three years. Charges or matters: assaulting Mr Kearns causing him harm at The Village Inn, Clondalkin on June 23, 2012. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 23, 2012 Incident
- 2015-02-24 Publication
Why: Garda Warren Farrell said that surgeons tried unsuccessfully to re-attach Mr Kearns' ear and he turned down reconstructive options because he felt it would look too fake. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: assaulting Mr Kearns causing him harm at The Village Inn, Clondalkin on June 23, 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) A Dublin man has been jailed for three years for biting off a piece of a stranger's ear in an unprovoked pub attack two years ago.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Pubs And Nightclubs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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