Courts / Dublin / Report

'Look at how much of his ear I've got' - two jailed for city centre bite assault

Date
2026-01-23

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Two men, Ciaran Whelan and Robert Costello, were jailed for a brutal attack on a couple celebrating their anniversary in Dublin City Centre. During the incident, Whelan bit off part of the man's ear and shouted, "Look at how much of his ear I've got." The couple, originally from Mongolia, were attacked while walking home after dinner. The man sustained a third of his ear being separated, requiring a skin graft, while the woman suffered a nasal fracture. Both men pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. Judge Ronan Munro described the attack as "lifelong maiming" and noted the couple had to return to Ireland for court proceedings. Whelan was sentenced to three years and four months, with the final 27 months suspended, while Costello received two years, with the final 16 months suspended. Both men had extensive criminal histories, and Whelan expressed remorse by offering €4,000 to the victims.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Look at how much of his ear I've got' - two jailed for city centre bite assault. Charges or matters: two counts of assault causing harm to the man and woman. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

August 9, 2016 Incident
2026-01-23 Publication

Case subjects

Ciaran Whelan

Accused

Charges: two counts of assault causing harm to the man and woman (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: In relation to Whelan, Judge Munro set a headline sentence of four years. He noted a period of imprisonment will be devastating for Whelan given his personal family circumstances, but he found that avoiding a custodial sentence would be "an affront" to the injured parties.

Robert Costello

Co Accused

Charges: two counts of assault causing harm to the man and woman (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty