Courts / Dublin / Report

"Competing narratives" as attacker claims victim tried to grab penis

Date
2019-06-28

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Smithfield

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Karl McDonnell, 27, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after an incident at the Generator Hostel's toilet on 15 April 2018. The accused claimed the Swiss tourist had made advances, while the tourist alleged McDonnell followed him into a cubicle with his penis exposed and then punched him. Gardaí interviewed the tourist, who had bruises and two black eyes, and CCTV showed McDonnell leaving the toilet and looking at his fist. McDonnell denied the claim, saying he only reacted when the tourist "commented on his manhood" and tried to grab his penis. He expressed remorse but maintained the tourist had "made advances." The court noted McDonnell's 19 prior convictions and adjourned sentencing to 18 July to allow the prosecution to decide if the tourist would testify from Switzerland.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Competing narratives" as attacker claims victim tried to grab penis. Charges or matters: assault causing harm at the Generator Hostel, Smithfield Square on April 15, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 15, 2018 Incident
July 18 Adjournment
2019-06-28 Publication

Why: The man from Switzerland said he pushed the accused out of the cubicle who then asked him why, to which he replied, "because you followed me in with your penis out". CNI source report

Case subjects

Karl McDonnell

Accused

Charges: assault causing harm at the Generator Hostel, Smithfield Square on April 15, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: The judge adjourned sentencing until July 18 to give the prosecution time to determine whether or not the injured party wished to travel from Switzerland to give evidence.