Courts / Dublin / Report

Mum-of-two like 'vicious animal' during racially-motivated attack, court hears

Summary

Chantal Johnston, 37, of Clonard Road in Crumlin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm and dangerous driving. The charges relate to an incident at Domino's Pizza on the Crumlin Road in the early hours of July 9, 2022. Prosecutors alleged that Johnston racially abused a part-time delivery driver, calling him a "bloody foreigner" and a "little Paki," before pushing, punching, kicking, and biting him. She was further accused of driving her car toward the victim in a threatening manner and threatening to kill him. The victim, who described the attack as being like a "vicious animal," stated in a victim impact statement that the racially motivated incident caused him lasting physical pain, anxiety, and depression. Defense counsel Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing BL submitted that Johnston, a mother of two, had taken an excessive amount of anti-depressants and was under the influence. He offered a fulsome apology and noted she had no previous convictions. Judge Orla Crowe expressed disappointment with the apology, stating she was "utterly underwhelmed" given the personalized and racial nature of the attack. The judge agreed to defer the sentence and ordered a probation report, suggesting probation services might propose a form of restorative justice. The matter was adjourned for finalisation to March 11 next year.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mum-of-two like 'vicious animal' during racially-motivated attack, court hears. Charges or matters: assault causing harm and dangerous driving at Domino's Pizza on the Crumlin Road in the early hours of July 9, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• July 9, 2022 Incident
• March 11 Adjournment
• 2023-11-30 Publication

Why: In a victim impact statement, the injured man said Johnston had attacked him "like a vicious animal" and that he continues to suffer physical pain, anxiety and depression because of the assault. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Car thief who rammed gardai to be sentenced 23 years after offences
• Serial criminal set car ablaze after release from Melanie McCarthy-McNamara manslaughter sentence
• Veteran lorry driver has conviction for failing to remain at accident scene overturned
• Mountjoy inmate made 'graphic' threats to prison officers
• 'They're not OK, so you can stop saying that': Riad Bouchaker denied that he 'went for the smallest children' in alleged Parnell Square attack

Read the original CNI report