Courts / Dublin / Report

Man cleared of assault on man who had to have part of his testicle removed

Date
2018-10-08

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Raymond Leonard, 35, was acquitted of assaulting Nicholas Devlin on 30 August 2015 at Anna Villa, Ranelagh. Leonard pleaded not guilty and the jury delivered a unanimous not guilty verdict after just under 90 minutes. Leonard, a former manager at An Bhialann restaurant, claimed he had never been in a fight and could not recall the night. Devlin testified that he was ejected from McSorley's pub, then attacked by Leonard, who punched him twice and knee‑dropped him in the groin, causing Devlin severe pain and a ruptured testicle that required surgery. Devlin identified Leonard on CCTV, though he later said he had been uncertain. The trial concluded with Leonard's acquittal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man cleared of assault on man who had to have part of his testicle removed. 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
2018-10-08 Publication

Why: Mr Devlin told Mr Collins he watched the footage a number of months after the assault, but "felt clearer in making an identification because at the time of the incident the attacker's face had been so close to mine". CNI source report