2024-05-13
Suspended sentence for biting part of man's ear off in 'brutal and appalling' fight is upheld
Stage: Appeal
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Last December at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court, Paul Dundon (39) was handed a suspended sentence of three years and three months by Judge Eugene O'Kelly for the assault. Conor O'Doherty BL, for the DPP, submitted that "the learned trial judge erred in principle in attaching undue weight to the question of rehabilitation and the personal circumstances of the respondent which did not warrant the suspension in the entirety of the sentence imposed." Mr O'Doherty said the assault was a "nasty and vicious" one that resulted in Mr Kelly sustaining "permanent injury or disfigurement" to his right ear.