Courts / Dublin / Report

Man attacked family members with fire extinguisher

Date
2018-03-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A man has been convicted of assaulting his brother and sister-in-law with a fire extinguisher during a family gathering in Dublin. David Fludgate (39) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to causing them harm at a public house on Old Lucan Road, Palmerstown on 13 December 2015. The incident occurred during their father's 70th birthday party following a dispute about helium balloons. CCTV evidence showed Fludgate swinging the extinguisher twice at his brother, Noel Fludgate, and once at Tracy Fludgate, causing both to fall to the ground. Noel Fludgate sustained a head wound requiring seven staples, while his wife received treatment for injuries. Fludgate, who is currently residing at hostel accommodation on Longford Street Little, was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment. The judge noted the assaults were serious but reduced the headline sentence of four years due to his guilty plea and rehabilitation efforts.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man attacked family members with fire extinguisher. Charges or matters: assaulting Mr and Mrs Fludgate causing them harm at the Palmerstown House pub, Old Lucan Road, Dublin 20, on December 13, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 13, 2015 Incident
2018-03-20 Publication

Why: Counsel submitted that his client now had health difficulties because of that addiction, but that he was making efforts to rehabilitate himself. CNI source report

Case subjects

David Fludgate

Defendant

Charges: assaulting Mr and Mrs Fludgate causing them harm at the Palmerstown House pub, Old Lucan Road, Dublin 20, on December 13, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Nolan said the headline sentence in this matter would have been a four year jail term because the assaults were quite serious.