CCTV caught Louth man stamping on head of his ‘drinking buddy’

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

CCTV captured a man stamping on the head of his “drinking buddy” during a mid-afternoon attack in Dundalk town centre.

The footage was played during a sentence hearing for Ciarán Rogers (42) who pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting causing harm; and the presiding judge remarked that he had counted six stamps to the head.

When the defendant was shown the footage by investigators, he said: “That’s f**king terrible. I’m disgusted with that.”

Mr Rogers, of Doolargy Avenue, Muirhevnamór, Dundalk, was remanded on continuing bail to June 5 for finalisation.

The circuit court heard that he was homeless at the time of the incident and in the midst of an alcohol and drug addiction. He had sought help shortly afterwards and for the last two-and-half-years has been clean and sober.

Gda Ronan Doherty gave evidence that at approximately 3.20pm on July 5, 2023, near the UIster Bank in Clanbrassil Street, an argument broke out between two men.

CCTV footage obtained from the bank showed that it escalated into Mr Rogers stamping on and hitting the victim as he lay on the ground. The other man next remembered waking up in hospital.

Gda Doherty said that when he arrived on the scene at 3.40pm he saw a man lying on the footpath and a pool of blood on the ground.

The injured man, aged 59 at the time, was taken by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

He was assessed by ambulance personnel as having sustained kicks to the head, a cut to the right side of the head, and lost consciousness for an unknown period. He appeared alert when assessed.

The victim told gardaí it was “Rodgie” who assaulted him.

Gda Doherty continued that he discovered the accused was undergoing treatment and decided to let that treatment run its course.

Mr Rogers was arrested on February 15, 2025. He said that he had been drinking heavily from 8am that day and had been in court. He didn’t remember what happened.

He had found out what occurred from an associate, and the court heard that he took responsibility.

The defendant told gardaí there had been an argument. He didn’t know about what. He was “blind drunk” and on “Benzoes”.

When shown the CCTV footage, he said: “That’s f**king terrible. I’m disgusted with that.”

He apologised and said what happened was a consequence of using drugs.

Gda Doherty said the injured man declined to make a Victim Impact Statement nor come to court. He made a full recovery and had no lasting injuries.

Mr Rogers has 32 previous convictions, including seven for assault. This was his first time in the circuit court, the garda added. He had not come to attention since.

Barrister Donough McDonough, instructed by solicitor Fergal Boyle, said that this was a nasty assault. The two men were drinking buddies.

Ciarán Rogers, married and a father of five, had shown genuine remorse and shame. He had instructed to repeat his apology.

At the time he was homeless and had “reached rock bottom”, counsel continued.

He had gone into care within two weeks, and underwent remarkable change. He was back working and had an offer of full-time employment.

Mr Rogers would raise €1,000 by June, and more if given further time.

Mr McDonough said he appreciated that the court had seen the nature of the assault.

Judge Dara Hayes remarked that the assault was very bad. He counted six stamps to the head.

The court accepted that there was a good probation report.

The defendant was remanded on the same terms to June 5 and must remain under Probation Service supervision. An updated report was directed.

Judge Hayes said that this was a serious assault towards the upper end of Section 3 given the nature of it.

There had been substantial rehabilitation. Mr Rogers sought help pretty much immediately and sustained it, to his credit.