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Scottish footballers in 'appalling' attack in Dublin
Summary
Two semi‑professional footballers from Scotland, Liam Callaghan and Craig Johnston, both aged 27, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and obstruction in Dublin City Centre on 8 December 2019. The defendants, who are cousins and play for Montrose FC, attacked a victim after an altercation at the nightclub Xico on Baggot Street. The victim was punched in the jaw, struck with a traffic cone and a box, and suffered facial injuries, a fractured eye socket, and a broken ankle that required three surgeries. Garda Emmet Hayde testified that the defendants fled but were apprehended. The court heard the victim's impact statement, noting ruined Christmas, depression, anxiety, missed work opportunities and an economic loss of over €6,000. The defendants offered €2,000 as a gesture of remorse, which the victim accepted, but Judge Orla Crowe said this was insufficient. The sentencing was adjourned to 20 January 2023, with the court seeking a more concrete expression of remorse.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Scottish footballers in 'appalling' attack in Dublin. Charges or matters: assault causing harm and obstruction in Dublin City Centre on December 8, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 8, 2019 Incident
- January 20, 2023 Incident
- Christmas Incident
- 2022-07-26 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: assault causing harm and obstruction in Dublin City Centre on December 8, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) By Eimear Dodd Two semi-professional footballers from Scotland who carried out an "appalling assault" during a night out in Dublin will be sentenced early next year.; Judge Crowe adjourned the case to next year and said the court would like to see a "more concrete expression of remorse" from the defendants.
Convicted Person
Charges: assault causing harm and obstruction in Dublin City Centre on December 8, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) By Eimear Dodd Two semi-professional footballers from Scotland who carried out an "appalling assault" during a night out in Dublin will be sentenced early next year.; Judge Crowe adjourned the case to next year and said the court would like to see a "more concrete expression of remorse" from the defendants.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin City
- Baggot Street
- Ely Place
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Lower Baggot Street
Topics
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