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Man who glassed medical student, leaving him blind in one eye, spared jail for second time
Summary
Robert Jones, 27, of Glenview Park, Tallaght, was convicted in 2016 of assault causing harm to medical student Brian Murphy after striking him with a pint glass at Palace Nightclub on 20 July 2014. The original 18‑month sentence was wholly suspended. In 2017 the Court of Appeal reviewed the sentence, finding it unduly lenient, but did not impose jail time because the review was delayed and Jones had no prior convictions, was employed, married and had a child. The judge noted that the glass hit Murphy's left eye, causing permanent blindness, scarring and psychological trauma, and that Murphy had resumed medical studies. Jones admitted the assault, expressed remorse and claimed he was unaware he was holding a glass. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the suspended sentence in place. Robert Jones pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who glassed medical student, leaving him blind in one eye, spared jail for second time. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to medical student Brian Murphy at Palace Nightclub, Camden Street, in the capital on July 20, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 20, 2014 Incident
- February 24, 2016 Incident
- 2017-04-06 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: assault causing harm to medical student Brian Murphy at Palace Nightclub, Camden Street, in the capital on July 20, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was given a wholly suspended 18 month sentence by Judge John Aylmer on February 24, 2016. He said the Court of Appeal would "certainly have imposed an 18 month sentence to be actually served" if it had been called on to sentence in the Circuit Court.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Glenview Park
- Tallaght
- Camden Street
Topics
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