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'My town': on bail offender jailed for GPO attack which left victim hospitalised for six weeks

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 7 July 2023, Andrew Byrne, 37, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after he attacked a man who had been shouting at his partner outside the GPO on 26 January 2021. The victim, who suffered a brain bleed and was hospitalised for six weeks, was struck by Byrne during a confrontation that began when Byrne shouted "you bitch" and "you slut" at the victim's partner. Byrne claimed he acted in self‑defence and that he may have thrown the first punch, but the court could not conclusively determine who initiated the violence. Byrne, who had previous convictions and was on bail, was sentenced to four years with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. The judge noted the victim's long‑term injuries and Byrne's remorse, and back‑dated the sentence to 19 May 2023, when his earlier three‑year term ended.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'My town': on bail offender jailed for GPO attack which left victim hospitalised for six weeks. Charges or matters: assault causing harm on Lower O'Connell Street on January 26, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 26, 2021 Incident
• May 19 Other
• 2023-07-07 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report