Courts / Dublin / Report

Scottish footballers avoid jail for 'shameful attack'

Date
2023-01-27

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

Two 27‑year‑old semi‑professional footballers from Scotland, Liam Callaghan and Craig Johnston, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and obstruction after a "shameful attack" on a 52‑year‑old man in Dublin on 8 December 2019. The victim's eye socket was fractured and his head was struck by a box, causing him to bounce off the ground. The court heard that the men had no prior interaction with the victim and that an earlier altercation at a bar had no relevance to the attack. Both men brought €6 000 to court as a token of remorse, which the victim accepted. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a two‑year prison sentence on each, suspended in full on the condition of keeping the peace for two years, and directed the men to hand over the gesture of remorse to the victim.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Scottish footballers avoid jail for 'shameful attack'. Charges or matters: assault causing harm and obstruction in Dublin City Centre on December 8, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 8, 2019 Incident
July 2022 Incident
Christmas Incident
2023-01-27 Publication

Case subjects

Craig Johnston

Defendant

Charges: assault causing harm and obstruction in Dublin City Centre on December 8, 2019 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She imposed a two-year prison sentence on both men. Judge Crowe said in the circumstances, she would suspend the sentence in full on condition that both men keep the peace for two years.

Liam Callaghan

Defendant

Charges: assault causing harm and obstruction in Dublin City Centre on December 8, 2019 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Photo: Collins) By Eimear Dodd Two Scottish footballers who carried out a "shameful attack" while on a night out in Dublin – during which the victim's eye socket was broken and his head 'bounced' off the ground – have walked from court after being handed suspended prison sentences. She imposed a two-year prison sentence on both men.