Courts / Dublin / Report

'Look how much of his ear I've got': pair attacked couple in city centre

Date
2025-03-20

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Two men, Robert Costello and Ciaran Whelan, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after attacking a Mongolian couple in Dublin City Centre on 9 August 2016. The male victim suffered a third of his ear separated and required a skin graft, while the female victim sustained a broken nose and underwent surgery in Mongolia. The couple returned to Mongolia after the incident. Costello, aged 35, has 29 prior convictions, last in 2017; Whelan, also 35, has 33 prior convictions, last in 2012. Both men were intoxicated and had addiction issues at the time. The court accepted their guilty pleas and considered their personal circumstances, and adjourned the case for finalisation until 20 June to allow Whelan to pursue rehabilitation and raise additional restitution. The court did not impose a sentence in this article.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Look how much of his ear I've got': pair attacked couple in city centre. Charges or matters: two counts of assault causing harm at Findlater Place, Dublin 1, on August 9, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

August 9, 2016 Incident
June 20 Adjournment
2025-03-20 Publication

Case subjects

Ciaran Whelan

Co Accused

Charges: two counts of assault causing harm at Findlater Place, Dublin 1, on August 9, 2016 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He asked the court to consider adjourning the case for finalisation so Whelan could undergo his rehabilitation while also raising more money for the injured parties.

Robert Costello

Accused

Charges: two counts of assault causing harm at Findlater Place, Dublin 1, on August 9, 2016 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He asked the court to consider adjourning the case for finalisation so Whelan could undergo his rehabilitation while also raising more money for the injured parties.