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Accused told gardai he had "never been in a fight in his life"

Summary

Raymond Leonard, a 35‑year‑old former restaurant manager, was accused of assaulting Nicholas Devlin in Ranelagh on 30 August 2015. Six months after the incident, Leonard voluntarily met with gardaí and said he could not recall the night in question. When asked whether he had engaged in a fight or used the phrase "you guys are fucked," he denied it, stating he had never been in a fight. Leonard also denied punching or pushing a male against a wall and claimed he normally walked straight home after the pub. He identified himself in McSorley's CCTV footage but insisted he was not involved in any assault. The case was brought to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Leonard pleaded not guilty. The trial was in its closing stages before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury of five women and seven men.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Accused told gardai he had "never been in a fight in his life". Charges or matters: assaulting Nicholas Devlin causing him harm at Anna Villa, Ranelagh, on August 30, 2015. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• August 30, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 2016 Incident
• 2018-10-05 Publication

Why: Ms Bernades told Mr Spencer she was saying it now and explained that she was nervous giving her evidence in chief. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report