Courts / Dublin / Report
Former pro footballer avoids jail over split kidney injury
Summary
Petru Pinto, 50, pleaded guilty to reckless assault causing harm after a five‑a‑side football match in Santry, Dublin, on 16 November 2012. He was sentenced by Judge Pauline Codd to a two‑and‑a‑half‑year prison term, suspended in full on the condition that he pay €5,000 to Paul Ceusan within three years. Ceusan suffered a Grade 4 renal injury, a split kidney, requiring a stent and resulting in 25 % loss of kidney function, high blood pressure, €1,350 in medical costs and about 20 weeks of work absence. The court noted that Pinto had no prior convictions in the six years since the assault, had expressed remorse, and was a founding member of the local football club. The judge described Pinto's tackle as a dangerous, conscious disregard for the victim's safety, and highlighted that the injury was not anticipated in a normal game. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former pro footballer avoids jail over split kidney injury. Charges or matters: reckless assault causing harm at an astroturf pitch in Ellenfield Park, Santry, Dublin, on November 16, 2012; an amended indictment which stated that the assault had been reckless rather than intentional. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 16, 2012 Incident
- November 30, 2018 Incident
- 2019-10-08 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: reckless assault causing harm at an astroturf pitch in Ellenfield Park, Santry, Dublin, on November 16, 2012; an amended indictment which stated that the assault had been reckless rather than intentional (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Today Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Pinto to two and a half years in prison which she suspended in full on condition that he pay a sum of €5,000 to the victim within three years.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Ellenfield Park
- Dublin
Topics
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