Courts / Dublin / Report
Probation Act for student who broke man's teeth in Luas stop assault
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 12 December 2014, 23‑year‑old Cian Haddock pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after punching Caolan Fanning during a shouting match at a Luas stop. The single blow sent Fanning onto the tracks, breaking four teeth. Haddock, who had no prior convictions, paid €8,400 to Fanning as a practical expression of remorse. Judge Patricia Ryan, acting under the Probation Act, imposed no custodial sentence but ordered Haddock to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for six months. The judge noted Haddock's early guilty plea, lack of previous convictions and cooperation with Gardaí as mitigating factors, while Fanning, who had asked the court not to jail his attacker, expressed hope that Haddock would learn from the incident. The case was heard as an assault causing harm, with no further charges or convictions reported.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Probation Act for student who broke man's teeth in Luas stop assault. Charges or matters: assault causing harm at Harcourt Street on March 16, 2011. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 16, 2011 Incident
- 2014-12-12 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm at Harcourt Street on March 16, 2011 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Patricia Ryan dealt with the matter under the Probation Act in lieu of a sentence, and ordered Haddock to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for a period of six months. The court heard that Mr Fanning held no malice towards his attacker and did not wish to see him jailed.
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