Courts / Dublin / Report

Chinese national walks free from court as victim asks that his assailant be spared jail

Summary

Li Zhongbo, a 33-year-old Chinese national from Rathfarnham, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at Sin Nightclub in Temple Bar on March 25, 2013. The court heard that Li swung a glass jug during a melee between groups of men, striking an uninvolved bystander, Adam Cleary, who suffered facial and chest injuries requiring 29 sutures. Judge Patrick McCartan noted that Cleary had graciously told Garda Eoin Carroll he did not want Li jailed, viewing the act as out of character. The judge highlighted Li's lack of previous convictions, his sincere apology, and his offer of €1,000 in remorse. Consequently, the court applied the Probation of Offenders Act, allowing Li to walk free. The judge described the victim as generous and fair. Li, a married father of two who has worked legally in Ireland for ten years, shook hands with Cleary after the sentencing. The matter was finalised with this disposition.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Chinese national walks free from court as victim asks that his assailant be spared jail. Charges or matters: assault causing harm at Sin Nightclub in Temple Bar on March 25, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 25, 2013 Incident
• 2015-01-14 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report