Courts / Dublin / Report
Drunk man who bit chivalrous commuter avoids jail
Summary
In a DART incident on 31 May 2020, 23‑year‑old Ivan Bruton, who was already serving a suspended sentence for assault, bit John Rock Sr. and punched his son Adam after Rock Sr. tried to stop Bruton's verbal dispute with a woman. Bruton, who had prior convictions for assault, stolen property and drugs, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and assault at Salthill & Monkstown DART Station. Judge Martin Nolan, noting Bruton's age and the "chivalrous" intervention of the Rocks, imposed a 16‑month prison term but suspended it entirely, subject to strict conditions including 12 months of probation. The judge also ordered Bruton to hand over €500 he had in court to the victims or a charity and to raise an additional €1,000 within a year. Bruton's lawyer highlighted his remorse, full‑time employment and young daughter, and the judge expressed hope for reform.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Drunk man who bit chivalrous commuter avoids jail. Charges or matters: assault causing harm and assault at Salthill & Monkstown DART Station on May 31, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 31, 2020 Incident
- 2022-02-18 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm and assault at Salthill & Monkstown DART Station on May 31, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Burton was serving a suspended sentence on another assault charge at the time of the attack. Judge Nolan sentenced Bruton to 16 months imprisonment but suspended the sentence in its entirety on strict conditions including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for 12 months.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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