Kerry pub doorman’s statement gives another view in court: ‘I got him through the kitchen door to safety’
The KerrymanA doorman’s statement to gardaí spared a man a criminal conviction at Cahersiveen District Court.
Antoni Ehberipu (34) of Woodbrook, Cahersiveen, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm relating to an incident on April 21, 2025.
At first, the case appeared open and shut.
The court heard there was an argument in a Cahersiveen pub. Later that night, the defendant spotted someone from the pub walking up Main Street and approached him.
“One punch, broke his nose,” said Sergeant Stephen O’Brien.
But a doorman’s witness statement from another investigation gave critical context, explained solicitor Brendan Ahern.
He read the doorman’s words to the court.
The doorman said the defendant, known to him as ‘Toni’, came into The Anchor Bar. Inside, he alleged, a group that was “shouting for Conor McGregor” and singing Amhrán na bhFiann set upon Mr Ehberipu.
“They were all attacking him with punches and kicks,” the doorman stated.
“I got him through the kitchen door to safety,” he said, noting Mr Ehberipu suffered bruising and injuries.
Judge David Waters asked whether that matter had appeared in court separately.
“The CCTV wasn’t recoverable,” said the sergeant.
The investigation had been unable to proceed further, the court heard.
As such, the only charges were those against Mr Ehberipu.
Mr Ahern noted this did not absolve his client nor did it insinuate that the injured party was an instigator or involved in the alleged earlier fight.
“I don’t wish to put the blame on the injured party,” said the solicitor.
He added, “I’m just trying to paint [Mr Ehberipu’s] frame of mind at the time”.
Mr Ehberipu is a Ukrainian national who works full-time in the tech industry, said his solicitor. He had provided the injured party €2,000 in compensation of his own initiative.
He had no previous conviction and no victim impact statement was given, the sergeant said.
The judge observed that no evidence was provided to tie the victim to earlier events.
“I can’t take into account what happened in the public house before because the victim is blameless,” said Judge Waters.
He noted he would usually give a criminal record but, due to Mr Ehberipu’s early plea and the financial compensation, he applied the probation act.