Courts / Dublin / Report
Young GAA player who broke man's jaw during an assault may escape a conviction if he pays compensation
Summary
Samuel McGuinness, a 24‑year‑old GAA player from Brookfield Park, Rush, pleaded guilty to assaulting Patrick Butterly outside a chip shop on 5 October 2013. Butterly suffered a broken jaw, nine stitches to his eyebrow, three staples to the back of his head, six cracked teeth requiring crowns, and lost 10 kg of weight because he could not eat. He has incurred €42,791 in medical costs, including physiotherapy and bi‑weekly psychologist visits for post‑traumatic stress. McGuinness has complied with the Restorative Justice Programme and has no further Garda contact. He currently has €1,000, which is below Butterly's claim. Judge Dermot Dempsey ordered McGuinness to pay €2,500 in compensation by 26 March; failure to do so will result in a conviction and a €500 fine. The court noted the seriousness of the injuries and the defendant's engagement with the programme.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Young GAA player who broke man's jaw during an assault may escape a conviction if he pays compensation. Charges or matters: assaulting Mr Butterly causing him harm on October 5th, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 5th, 2013 Incident
- March 26th Other
- 2015-01-22 Publication
Why: Mr Butterly had previously told Balbriggan District Court that he lost 10kg in weight as he was unable to eat because of his broken jaw. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assaulting Mr Butterly causing him harm on October 5th, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Solicitor for McGuinness, John Birmingham said the defendant has complied with all orders from the Restorative Justice Programme and that he has had no further attention with the gardai. 'He has €1,000 with him – this is shy of what Mr Butterly is seeking but money is tight at the moment for Mr McGuinness,' Mr Birmingham said, explaining that the defendant earns €450 a week from his banking job and has a mortgage and car repayments to make. 'The incident could be seen as a flash in the pan with serious consequences,' said Mr Birmingham, adding that McGuinness is 'held in high regard; and there He seems to have engaged with the Restorative Justice Programme,' said Judge Dempsey, adding that if the money isn't paid by March 26th he will impose a default order of a conviction and €500 fine.
Places mentioned
- Balbriggan
- Balbriggan District Court
- Brookfield
- Brookfield Park
Topics
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