Courts / Dublin / Report
College student kicked man in head during taxi row, court hears
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 16 November 2016, Adam McCarthy, a 24‑year‑old college student, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Niall McHale outside Tamango's Nightclub in Portmarnock on 27 December 2014. McCarthy had joined a group that cut in line for a taxi, and when McHale protested that the taxi was not theirs, McCarthy punched him above the right eye, causing McHale to fall and lose consciousness. McHale was then kicked in the head, sustaining bruising, lacerations and seven stitches. McCarthy was restrained by nightclub bouncers before Gardaí arrived. McHale, who had been housebound for most of the Christmas holidays, was taken to Beaumont Hospital. McCarthy, who has no prior convictions, apologized in a letter and offered €5,000 to McHale's family, to be donated to a charity of their choice. Judge Melanie Greally noted the seriousness of a head kick, considered the possibility of community service, and adjourned sentencing to 8 February 2017.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: College student kicked man in head during taxi row, court hears. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to Niall McHale outside the venue attached to White Sands Hotel in Portmarnock on December 27, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 27, 2014 Incident
- February 8 Adjournment
- Christmas Incident
- 2016-11-16 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to Niall McHale outside the venue attached to White Sands Hotel in Portmarnock on December 27, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: McCarthy turned and punched the victim "before Mr McHale had even finished his sentence", Mr McGillicuddy said. "He struck Mr McHale above the right eye and he fell to the ground," Mr McGillicuddy said. "The man then kicked him in the head." Mr McHale suffered a brief loss of consciousness before being taken by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital. Judge Greally said she wished to explore the possibility of community service before handing down sentence and she adjourned the matter to February 8 next year.; Judge Greally said she wished to explore the possibility of community service before handing down sentence and she adjourned the matter to February 8 next year.
Places mentioned
- Howth Road
- Dublin
- Portmarnock
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Beaumont Hospital
Topics
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