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Romanian man who assaulted shop worker in unprovoked racist attack given 6 months to come up with €3,000

Summary

In a Dublin city‑centre assault, 26‑year‑old Romanian Ionut Potop head‑butted and bit Pakistani shop employee Tariq Mohammed at a Londis store on Westmoreland Street on 4 June 2014. Potop, who was drunk and had shouted racial slurs, caused injuries to Mohammed's nose, torso and wrist, leading to hospital treatment. Potop pleaded guilty to assault. Judge Patrick McCartan, noting Potop's lack of prior convictions, ordered him to raise €3,000 for Mohammed within six months as a token of remorse, warning that failure to do so would result in imprisonment. Potop was remanded on continuing bail to allow time to gather the compensation. The case was adjourned to 11 December for sentencing. The court considered Potop's apologies, letters of regret, and his attendance at psychotherapy for anger and alcohol issues. The judge expressed willingness to give Potop a chance if his remorse was genuine. The proceedings remain at the bail stage, with no final sentence yet imposed.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Romanian man who assaulted shop worker in unprovoked racist attack given 6 months to come up with €3,000. Charges or matters: assaulting Pakistani national Tariq Mohammed causing him harm at the Londis shop on Westmoreland Street on June 4, 2014. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• June 4, 2014 Adjournment
• December 11 Adjournment
• 2015-06-12 Publication

Why: Potop, with an address at Meadow Way, Hartstown, Dublin was remanded on continuing bail at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in order to allow him time to earn compensation money. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report