Courts / Dublin / Report

Suspended sentence for man who assaulted youth worker

Date
2016-02-19
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Paul Grace, 36, received a three‑year suspended sentence after assaulting retired youth worker Patrick Malone on 29 March 2013 in Killarney Street, Dublin. Grace had pleaded guilty to the assault, which caused harm to Malone. The court noted Grace's history of 22 prior convictions for non‑violent offences and his recent rehabilitation: he had completed a certificate in drug counselling, was studying psychotherapy, and was now clean of drugs. Judge Patricia Ryan cited the violent nature of the crime as an aggravating factor but also acknowledged Grace's incoherent state and his subsequent volunteer work with addiction services, deeming him low risk of re‑offending. Malone's victim impact statement requested no custodial sentence. The court imposed the suspended sentence, with no custodial term to be served unless the conditions are breached.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for man who assaulted youth worker. Charges or matters: assaulting Patrick Malone causing him harm at Killarney Street, Dublin on March 29, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Paul Grace

Defendant

Charges: assaulting Patrick Malone causing him harm at Killarney Street, Dublin on March 29, 2013 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: In his victim impact statement he asked the court not to impose a custodial sentence on Grace. At the sentence hearing, Garda Rory Carey told Anne Marie Lawlor BL, prosecuting, that Mr Malone knew Grace, who had tried and failed at rehabilitation attempts, and had on occasion given him money for hostels.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
  • Beaumont Park
Address Area
  • Killarney Street

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request