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Attacker who left English tourist in coma following 'serious violence on streets of Dublin' withdraws appeal
Summary
In a case that began with an unprovoked street attack on April 17, 2022, Stefan Bornac, aged 21, assaulted Thomas Oliver and James Lightly on D'Olier Street, Dublin 2. Bornac struck Oliver with a forceful right‑hand blow to the temple, then repeatedly punched Lightly, knocking him to the ground before kicking him in the head. Oliver, a 25‑year‑old college student, was rendered unconscious, transported to St James' Hospital, intubated, and later transferred to Beaumont Hospital where he remained in a coma for three weeks. Lightly sustained injuries but survived. Bornac pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Oliver and assault causing harm to Lightly, and was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four and a half years' imprisonment, with nine months suspended. He appealed the sentence, but after the Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, highlighted the "very serious violence" involved, Bornac withdrew his appeal, accepting the original sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Attacker who left English tourist in coma following 'serious violence on streets of Dublin' withdraws appeal. Charges or matters: assault causing serious harm to Thomas Oliver and to assault causing harm to James Lightly on D'Olier Street in Dublin 2, on April 17, 2022. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- April 17, 2022 Incident
- 2024-06-27 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: assault causing serious harm to Thomas Oliver and to assault causing harm to James Lightly on D'Olier Street in Dublin 2, on April 17, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) A man who left a young English tourist in a three-week coma following an unprovoked attack in the street has withdrawn an appeal against his four-and-a-half-year sentence, after a judge highlighted the level of violence involved in the assault. "There was very serious violence inflicted on the streets of Dublin, with not one but two victims," said President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham today, when the appeal by Stefan Bornac (21) came before the three-judge court. Bornac was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four and a half years in prison, with the final nine months suspended.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- D'Olier Street
- Dublin
- Beaumont Hospital
- St James' Hospital
Topics
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