Disgraced politician's son gets community service for lighting firework in Coppers

A 28-year-old Dublin man has been ordered to complete 240 hours of community service over twelve months in lieu of a two-year prison sentence following his guilty plea to igniting a firework in a city-centre nightclub. The defendant pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the offence at Copper Face Jacks on Harcourt Street on 6 July 2015. The firework became lodged against another man's body, causing burn injuries that required eight attendances at a hospital burns unit over two months. Judge Karen O'Connor heard that the defendant had consumed considerable alcohol following a football replay earlier that day. The victim, while noting the dangerous nature of the act, indicated he did not seek a custodial sentence. The defence submitted the lighting of the firework was reckless rather than intentional. The judge noted the defendant's privileged background and stated the matter represented his final opportunity to reform his behaviour.