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"Extremely magnanimous" glassing victim doesn't wish for attacker to be jailed

Date
2020-01-13
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Damien Mitchell, 32, was arrested after striking John Walsh with a pint glass during a domestic dispute. Mitchell admitted the fight but claimed limited memory due to alcohol. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm in Dublin. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a three‑year sentence, fully suspended on conditions of sobriety and other requirements. Mitchell's apology letter, €3,000 payment to Walsh, and counselling attendance were noted as evidence of remorse. Walsh, who suffered eye and facial scarring, expressed a desire for Mitchell not to serve custodial time, describing him as "extremely magnanimous." The judge highlighted alcohol's role and the seriousness of the injuries, noting that a slightly more severe outcome would have led to imprisonment. Mitchell has no prior convictions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Extremely magnanimous" glassing victim doesn't wish for attacker to be jailed. Charges or matters: assault causing harm at Parkgate Street, Dublin on June 25, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: He later acknowledged in interview that he had been in a fight but said he had no other memory of what had happened because of the amount of alcohol he had to drink. CNI source report

Case subjects

Damien Mitchell

Defendant

Charges: assault causing harm at Parkgate Street, Dublin on June 25, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He said he did not want to see Mitchell do a custodial sentence and suggested instead that the man do a course to help with his excessive drinking. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a three year sentence which she suspended in full on various conditions including that Mitchell remain sober over the course of those three years.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Incident

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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