Courts / Dublin / Report

Toddler's face burnt with blowtorch by random attacker high on mushrooms

Date
2021-05-18

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a shocking incident on 6 September 2021, Darren Brennan, 30, of Whitechurch Road, Ballyboden, Dublin, approached two toddlers in a buggy outside their home and used a mini blowtorch to burn the cheek of a two‑year‑old boy. Brennan, who was high on magic mushrooms and taking anti‑psychotic medication, was captured on CCTV and later identified by Gardaí. He denied harming the child at first, claiming he had merely intended to pat the boy, but later admitted the attack to his psychiatrist. The boy's parents gave emotional victim impact statements, describing the event as a "dark" day that left their son traumatised, fearful of strangers, and with ongoing sleep difficulties. Brennan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to three years' imprisonment, with the final 16 months suspended under conditions. The case highlighted the severe emotional impact on the family and the child's ongoing recovery.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Toddler's face burnt with blowtorch by random attacker high on mushrooms. Charges or matters: one count of assault causing harm to the two-year-old boy at an address in Dublin on September 6 last year. Procedural stage: sentence

When: