Adam McCarthy ordered community service for assault

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Judge Melanie Greally ordered Adam McCarthy to complete 240 hours of community service within 12 months in lieu of a one-year jail term at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. McCarthy pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Niall McHale. The proceedings were reported on 8 February 2017.

The assault happened at the White Sands Hotel in Portmarnock on 27 December 2014 after a dispute over a taxi. McCarthy punched McHale above the right eye, causing him to fall, and then kicked him in the head. McHale briefly lost consciousness and received seven stitches to his head, as well as suffering bruising and lacerations. The court heard the account at an earlier sentencing hearing the previous November.

McHale requested that the €5,000 McCarthy had in court go to Headway Ireland. Judge Greally said it would support people with head injuries who had not been as fortunate as McHale.

The judge accepted that McCarthy had taken steps to curb his drinking, completed an anger management course and shown insight into the consequences of his behaviour. Brian Storan BL, defending, said McCarthy felt shame and genuine remorse. He said his client had saved €3,500 and borrowed €1,500 from his parents to offer McHale.