Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for man who bit part of attacker's ear off during Luas brawl

Summary

Brandon Cunningham, 25, of Amiens Street, Dublin 1, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault and violent disorder arising from a February 15, 2021, incident on the Luas. Cunningham pleaded guilty to the charges. The court heard that he bit part of a man's ear off during a brawl between George's Dock and Busáras stops, an altercation that forced the tram out of service. Judge Martin Nolan jailed Cunningham for three years, with the sentence backdated to when he first entered custody. The judge noted that while Cunningham did not start the attack, biting off part of an ear was a "pretty savage thing to do." Defense counsel Carol Doherty BL highlighted Cunningham's personal history, including being a "heroin baby," and his remorse. Anthony McDonald, 26, of Cromcastle Court, Dublin 5, was also sentenced for violent disorder for his involvement in the same incident. Judge Nolan stated that McDonald's culpability was lesser than Cunningham's but noted he had participated in the event. McDonald was jailed for 18 months. Defense counsel Derek Cooney BL argued that McDonald did not inflict the injury and was unable to leave the tram until it stopped. Both sentences were handed down following the presentation of CCTV footage and evidence regarding the dispute between the parties' families.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for man who bit part of attacker's ear off during Luas brawl. Charges or matters: assault and violent disorder on February 15, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 15, 2021 Incident
• 2025-01-15 Publication

Why: Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the tram had to be taken out of service "because of the nature of the incident". Court evidence reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report