Courts / Dublin / Report

'Misplaced effort' to help woman led man to kick in door and attack her partner

Date
2022-03-08

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, John Tobin of Corran Ard, Athy, was found guilty of assault causing harm after he kicked in the door of a man's home and carried out a prolonged attack. Tobin claimed he had been misinformed that the victim had harmed a woman, the victim's partner, and that his actions were a misguided attempt to help. He admitted his wrongdoing. The victim, who wished to remain unnamed, suffered cuts, a punctured lung and other injuries but no serious consequences. Tobin, who has prior convictions for assault and public order offences and a history of alcohol and cocaine abuse, was given €1,000 as an expression of remorse, which the victim accepted. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a 30‑month prison sentence, suspended the final 15 months, and required Tobin to keep the peace and engage with Probation Services for 15 months after release.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Misplaced effort' to help woman led man to kick in door and attack her partner. Charges or matters: assault causing harm at an address in East Wall, Dublin city, on July 24, 2018. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

July 24, 2018 Incident
2022-03-08 Publication

Why: By Declan Brennan & Isabel Hayes A man kicked in the door of another man's home and carried out a lengthy attack because he believed the victim had hurt a woman, a court has heard. CNI source report