Courts / Dublin / Report

Community service for "jealous" attacker who left victim deaf in one ear

Date
2018-12-14

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

An apprentice electrician from Donaghmede has received a non-custodial sentence after pleading guilty to causing serious harm to a schoolmate at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Adam Clarke (20) punched the victim at a nightclub on Francis Street, Dublin 8, on 3 July 2016, in an incident motivated by jealousy. The assault left the injured party permanently deaf in one ear and hospitalised for five days with a complex head fracture. Judge Melanie Greally imposed 240 hours of community service in lieu of a three-year prison term and ordered Clarke to pay €10,000 compensation. The judge noted the victim's hearing loss has significantly impacted his academic progress, sporting ability, and career prospects. Clarke, who initially showed no remorse during garda interview, later visited the victim in hospital and expressed contrition. The court considered his youth, early guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, and a probation report indicating low re-offending risk when determining the sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Community service for "jealous" attacker who left victim deaf in one ear. Charges or matters: causing serious harm to Ownie O'Connell at the Tivoli Theatre, Francis Street, Dublin 8, on July 3, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 3, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
2018-12-14 Publication

Why: He told gardaí he had no regrets because "it was a great night". CNI source report

Case subjects

Adam Clarke

Defendant

Charges: causing serious harm to Ownie O'Connell at the Tivoli Theatre, Francis Street, Dublin 8, on July 3, 2016 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Adam Clarke (20) was ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service in lieu of three years' imprisonment and was further directed to pay €10,000 to the injured party as a token of his remorse. Judge Melanie Greally set a headline sentence of seven years but gave Clarke credit for his early plea, his youth, his lack of previous or subsequent offences, the high level of alcohol he had consumed on the night and the emotionally charged atmosphere in which the offence had taken place.