Courts / Dublin / Report
Attack victim's life changed 'beyond recognition' after 'devastating' brain injuries
Summary
Conor McCormack, a 30‑year‑old apprentice carpenter, was severely brain‑injured after being punched in the jaw by Raul Pop, 25, during a night out on Dublin's O'Connell Street. Pop, along with Cosmin Sandor, 24, and Vladut Bindea, 21, were involved in a brawl that began after the trio had been drinking vodka at a nightclub. CCTV footage showed the attackers assaulting a homeless man and then following McCormack and his friends. Pop struck McCormack, who was knocked unconscious and hit the ground head‑first. McCormack suffered a life‑threatening brain injury, required surgery, spent 11 days in a coma, and now has lasting hearing loss, speech difficulties and physical weakness. In court, Pop pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm; Sandor and Bindea pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Pop to five years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended, Sandor to two years, and Bindea to a suspended two‑year sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Attack victim's life changed 'beyond recognition' after 'devastating' brain injuries. Charges or matters: assault causing serious harm on November 3 last (2019); violent disorder. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 3 Incident
- November 5 Incident
- 2020-07-10 Publication
Why: By Declan Brennan & Brion Hoban An apprentice carpenter left brain damaged after a late night attack has told a court that his life has changed beyond recognition because of his injuries. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: assault causing serious harm on November 3 last (2019); violent disorder (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Today, Pop was jailed for five years, with the final two years suspended. Sandor was jailed for two years.
Convicted Person
Charges: assault causing serious harm on November 3 last (2019); violent disorder (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Today, Pop was jailed for five years, with the final two years suspended.
Convicted Person
Charges: assault causing serious harm on November 3 last (2019); violent disorder (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Today, Pop was jailed for five years, with the final two years suspended. Bindea, the youngest man who did not play a major role in the offending that night, was given a two year suspended sentence.
Places mentioned
- Dublin's O'Connell Street
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- O'Connell Street
- Meath Street
- Dublin
- Irish prison
Topics
Pubs And Nightclubs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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