Courts / Dublin / Report

Footballer to be sentenced for 2004 assault

Date
2017-11-09

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

Stephen "Hoppy" Kinch, aged 29, will be sentenced in early 2018 for an assault committed when he was 16 in 2004. The incident occurred on 17 March 2004 in Tallaght, where Kinch allegedly struck Gary Byrne in the face with an iron bar and was also involved in head‑butting Byrne during the attack. Byrne suffered a broken nose, broken finger, damaged teeth, swollen jaw and a cut lip. Kinch pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, admitted to head‑butting but denied using the iron bar. He has no prior convictions and was living in Tallaght at the time of the hearing. The judge, Karen O'Connor, noted his current employment, voluntary work and family responsibilities, and adjourned the case to February to allow him to pay an additional €4,000. She also indicated a potential probation report and assessment of suitability for community service, though she did not commit to imposing community service.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Footballer to be sentenced for 2004 assault. Charges or matters: assaulting Gary Byrne in Tallaght on March 17, 2004. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

March 17, 2004 Incident
2017-11-09 Publication

Case subjects

Unnamed teenager

Convicted Person

Charges: assaulting Gary Byrne in Tallaght on March 17, 2004 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: A talented footballer will be sentenced early next year for an assault he took part in as a teenager 13 years ago. She said this did not indicate she would impose community service.; She noted Kinch had €2,000 in court and adjourned the case to February to allow him bring a further €4,000.