Courts / Dublin / Report

"Good Samaritan" attacked and slashed in face

Summary

John McDermott, 24, of Swords, Co Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault causing harm. He pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred on July 10, 2014, at Talbot Street, on the understanding that he did not slash the victim's face. The court heard that Russ Hogan, described by Judge Cormac Quinn as a "good Samaritan," was attacked by McDermott and a 16-year-old friend. Prosecutors alleged that while the teenager slashed Mr Hogan's face, McDermott approached the victim with an improvised weapon made from a jagged beer can and assisted in punching and kicking him. Mr Hogan sustained two moderately deep wounds to his right cheek and other cuts. McDermott, who has 103 previous convictions, was under the influence of alcohol and tablets at the time. He is currently serving a sentence for two robberies committed last year. Defence counsel noted that McDermott had apologised to Mr Hogan, who accepted the apology, and highlighted his chronic addiction issues. Judge Quinn sentenced McDermott to 18 months in prison, with the final six months suspended.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Good Samaritan" attacked and slashed in face. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to Russ Hogan at Talbot Street on July 10, 2014; the assault causing harm, on the understanding that it was not him who slashed Mr Hogan's face. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• July 10, 2014 Incident
• 2017-06-15 Publication

Why: Ms Lawlor said McDermott, who has a long-term partner and young child, had struggled with a "chronic addiction" to various substances, and that many of his offences had been made under the influence of a substance, or in an attempt to procure money in order to purchase them. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report