Courts / Dublin / Report

No jail for former drug addict for unprovoked attack on innocent bystander

Summary

Brian Boyle, a 30‑year‑old former drug addict, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after he punched and kicked an innocent bystander at Longmeadows Apartments on 31 May 2016. Boyle admitted he was very drunk and had little memory of the incident, apologising to the victim who was hospitalised with head and body injuries. Judge Melanie Greally, noting Boyle's history of drug addiction and homelessness, accepted that he was now on the road to recovery and had taken important steps to address his addiction. She imposed a headline sentence of three and a half years, suspended on the condition that he keep the peace for that period, citing his guilty plea, cooperation with the investigation and expressions of remorse. The victim did not complete a victim impact statement. Boyle's 59 previous convictions include theft, robbery and car theft. The court emphasised that imprisoning him now would pose a risk to his rehabilitation process.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: No jail for former drug addict for unprovoked attack on innocent bystander. Charges or matters: assault causing harm at Longmeadows Apartments, Conyngham Road, Dublin on May 31, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• May 31, 2016 Incident
• 2018-11-15 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report