Courts / Dublin / Report

Man left wheelchair-bound after reckless assault

Date
2016-04-25

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Jonathan Donovan, aged 30, was sentenced to six years in prison, with the last 18 months suspended, for the reckless assault of Paul Doyle that left Doyle permanently wheelchair-bound. The offence occurred on 6 April 2014 at Kelly's Row, Dorset Street, when a drunken altercation involving heroin and other drugs escalated. Donovan struck Doyle twice on the head with an axe after Doyle had armed himself with a knife. Doyle suffered serious head injuries and has never recovered, remaining under care at Mater Hospital. Donovan pleaded guilty in February 2016, acknowledging the unreasonable force used despite being confronted with a knife. The judge, John Aylmer, noted Donovan's extensive criminal record, his cooperation with Gardaí, and his genuine remorse, and imposed the suspended sentence on the condition of remaining drug‑free and engaging in probation and drug counselling programmes. No victim impact report was submitted.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man left wheelchair-bound after reckless assault. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 6, 2014 Incident
April 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
2016-04-25 Publication

Case subjects

Jonathan Donovan

Defendant

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge John Alymer suspended the last 18 months of a six year sentence on condition Donovan remained drug free and engaged with the Probation Services and its drug counselling programmes. He back-dated the sentence to April 2014, when Donovan went into custody.