Courts / Dublin / Report

Teen took running kick to parade volunteers' heads in "appalling" assault

Date
2016-06-28

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

In March 2015, 18‑year‑old Niall Brooks and two other youths assaulted Brendan Cahill and Derek McDonald at the Luas terminal on Belgard Square East. CCTV showed a scuffle that escalated into the attackers repeatedly kicking the men in the head and body while they were unconscious. The assault caused extensive injuries: skull fractures, broken eye sockets, broken cheekbones, and other trauma. Both victims reported severe physical and psychological impacts, including loss of confidence, anxiety, and economic losses. Brooks pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm and will be sentenced in October. He has three prior convictions and is currently serving a sentence for a robbery. The court noted the attack was "appalling" and ordered a Probation Services report before sentencing. The victims' statements highlighted lasting health and financial consequences from the incident.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Teen took running kick to parade volunteers' heads in "appalling" assault. Charges or matters: two counts of assault causing harm to Brendan Cahill and Derek McDonald at the Luas terminal on Belgard Square East on March 17, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

March 17, 2015 Incident
July 29, 2014 Other
2016-06-28 Publication

Why: He estimated an economic loss of €11,000 because of missing out on job placements and said he had a lot of bottled up anger. CNI source report

Case subjects

Niall Brooks

Defendant

Charges: two counts of assault causing harm to Brendan Cahill and Derek McDonald at the Luas terminal on Belgard Square East on March 17, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Brooks has three previous convictions and is currently serving a sentence for a robbery committed on July 29, 2014.