Courts / Dublin / Report

Woman's nose broken during street assault

Date
2021-11-04

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin street incident on 10 October 2017, 28‑year‑old Roberto Arinella, a Brazilian resident of Mask Green, Artane, struck Laura Masterson, who had intervened in a dispute, causing her nose to break. Arinella pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Masterson suffered significant injuries, including a broken nose that required cosmetic surgery, and was taken to St James' Hospital. Arinella claimed he acted in self‑defence after a verbal altercation and alleged false accusations by the first woman involved. The court, noting Arinella's lack of prior convictions and good employment record, imposed a one‑year imprisonment sentence, fully suspended on strict conditions, and required him to raise an additional €1,000 in compensation for Masterson within 12 months. The case was prosecuted by Michael Hourigan BL and defended by Emmet Nolan BL. Judge Martin Nolan delivered the judgment.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman's nose broken during street assault. Charges or matters: assault causing harm on Dame Street, Dublin City centre, on October 10, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

October 10, 2017 Incident
2021-11-04 Publication

Case subjects

Roberto Arinella

Accused

Charges: assault causing harm on Dame Street, Dublin City centre, on October 10, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Nolan sentenced Arinella to one year imprisonment, but suspended the sentence in its entirety on strict conditions, including that he raise a further €1,000 in compensation for the victim within 12 months.