Courts / Dublin / Report

Son of man accused of sex assault was punched by complainant's boyfriend in CCJ

Date
2022-12-07
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, the son of a man whose sexual‑assault trial collapsed was punched in the face in the Criminal Courts of Justice round hall. The incident occurred after the son allegedly made a gun‑gesture toward a female complainant as she left the courthouse. The complainant's boyfriend, who was with her, struck the son, who fell and sustained head injuries. The court noted the son's psychological damage, including loss of smell and taste and a six‑month course of anti‑seizure medication. The judge, Pauline Codd, accepted that the son's gesture could be seen as threatening but found no excuse for the violence. She considered the son's role as sole breadwinner, his apology letter, and his non‑violent conviction history. The son was sentenced to a suspended three‑and‑a‑half‑year prison term, conditional on maintaining peace and good behaviour. The unnamed accused pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Son of man accused of sex assault was punched by complainant's boyfriend in CCJ. Charges or matters: assault causing harm in the Courts of Criminal Justice, Parkgate St, Dublin 8 on May 13, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed accused

Accused

Charges: assault causing harm in the Courts of Criminal Justice, Parkgate St, Dublin 8 on May 13, 2021 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: At a sentence hearing today, the court heard that the defendant attacked the son of the man who had been accused of sexually assaulting his girlfriend.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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