Courts / Dublin / Report

Community service for horse handler who assaulted American tourist

Date
2026-02-13

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A Dublin horse handler, Scott Clarke, has been ordered to perform 150 hours of community service after throwing a vape at an American tourist, causing him to lose a tooth. The incident occurred outside the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin 8 in 2023. Clarke pleaded guilty to assault, which carries a maximum sentence of six months. The victim, who is in his 20s, said he feared for his life and that the incident marred his final holiday with his parents. He has undergone dental surgery and continues to experience nerve pain, spending around US$5,000 on dental implants. CCTV footage showed the victim taking down a sign displaying the charges for the horse and carriage rental, leading to a scuffle. Clarke threw the vape at the victim, hitting him in the mouth. Garda Greg Moroney testified that there was no evidence linking the horse handlers to the incident. Clarke has previous drug convictions but none for violent offenses. His defense highlighted that he is a full-time carer for his father, who is in the advanced stages of cancer.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Community service for horse handler who assaulted American tourist. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

February 19, 2023 Incident
2026-02-13 Publication

Case subjects

Scott Clarke

Defendant

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Baxter imposed a five-month sentence and ordered Clarke to carry out 150 hours community service in lieu of that term.; The judge observed the case had been adjourned to allow urine analysis to take place and she could now finalise matters as rehabilitation had commenced.