Louth construction worker who glassed another man in pub avoids conviction

A 26-year-old man pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after striking another man once with a glass in a Dundalk pub. The injured man had superficial abrasions to his left forehead and accepted an apology and compensation for work-related losses. The court heard the victim felt unsafe in the North Louth village. Defence counsel said the defendant was not present during an earlier argument involving the defendant’s then girlfriend, who later pleaded guilty to a related assault charge. The judge noted the victim impact statement appeared inconsistent with the apology being accepted. The defendant was described as having a good family background, steady work in the family construction company, and aspirations to go to Australia.

"Judge Stephanie Coggans heard that the injured man who was present accepted Mr Elmore's apology and was also willing to accept the money having suffered losses associated with work. Hospital notes outlined that he sustained superficial abrasions to the left side of his forehead. Also from Omeath and known to his assailant, he said in a Victim Impact Statement that he felt unsafe in the North Louth village."

"It was outlined to the court by defence counsel Donough McDonough that his client was not in the bar when an argument occurred between the other man and Mr Elmore's then girlfriend. It ended with him telling her to "F**k off" before she slapped him. The woman has pleaded guilty to a resultant Section 2 assault charge which is before the courts. Mr McDonough continued that when Mr Elmore arrived in Brubaker's she gave him her version of events."

"On foot of that, the accused who had a glass in his right hand, grabbed the other man with his left and struck him once with the glass. Fortunately, the physical injury was "relatively mild". The barrister added that John Elmore came from a good family. His parents and sister were present."

"Judge Coggans noted that the recently made Victim Impact Statement was "at odds" with an apology being made and accepted. Mr McDonough said that gardaí had spoken to the injured man and that was what he indicated. T"

Read at Irish Independent