Courts / Dublin / Report
Jury fails to reach verdict in "Transylvania FC" assault trial
Summary
A jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court failed to reach a verdict in the trial of Petru Pinto, 50, who was accused of assaulting Paul Ceusan, 35, during a five-a-side football match. The incident allegedly occurred on November 16, 2012, at an astroturf pitch in Ellenfield Park, Santry, Dublin. Mr. Pinto, a former professional footballer from Romania, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mr. Ceusan, causing him harm. The complainant alleged that Mr. Pinto took a running jump and kneeled him in the torso, resulting in a Grade 4 renal injury, or split kidney, which required surgery and a stent insertion. Mr. Pinto testified that the collision occurred during a legitimate tackle for the ball, denying it was an off-the-ball assault. He stated that a prior verbal dispute, in which he claimed Mr. Ceusan insulted his mother, was unrelated to the physical incident. The jury, comprising four men and eight women, deliberated for just under three hours before informing Judge Pauline Codd they could not agree on a verdict with the required ten or more votes. The matter was adjourned to December 10 for mention. Both men are members of Transylvania FC, a club established for Romanians living in Dublin.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury fails to reach verdict in "Transylvania FC" assault trial. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- November 16, 2012 Incident
- December 10 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-11-30 Publication
Why: He said his friends pulled Mr Pinto away and the game was stopped as he lay on the ground for ten minutes because of the pain. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Places mentioned
- Ellenfield Park
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Beaumont Hospital
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.