Louth construction worker who glassed another man in pub avoids conviction

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A 26-year-old man who carried out an unprovoked glass attack on another male in a Dundalk pub has avoided a conviction.

John Elmore, Ballinteskin, Omeath, had €3,000 compensation for his victim when he appeared before the district court.

The defendant, who works in the family construction company, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Brubaker’s, Park Street, Dundalk, on February 3, 2025.

Judge Stephanie Coggans heard that the injured man who was present accepted Mr Elmore’s apology and was also willing to accept the money having suffered losses associated with work.

Hospital notes outlined that he sustained superficial abrasions to the left side of his forehead.

Also from Omeath and known to his assailant, he said in a Victim Impact Statement that he felt unsafe in the North Louth village.

It was outlined to the court by defence counsel Donough McDonough that his client was not in the bar when an argument occurred between the other man and Mr Elmore’s then girlfriend.

It ended with him telling her to “F**k off” before she slapped him. The woman has pleaded guilty to a resultant Section 2 assault charge which is before the courts.

Mr McDonough continued that when Mr Elmore arrived in Brubaker’s she gave him her version of events.

On foot of that, the accused who had a glass in his right hand, grabbed the other man with his left and struck him once with the glass.

Fortunately, the physical injury was “relatively mild”.

The barrister added that John Elmore came from a good family. His parents and sister were present.

He has worked in the family construction company since completing his Leaving Cert at Bush Post Primary, and played football for the local team.

He aspired to go to Australia. References were available.

Judge Coggans noted that the recently made Victim Impact Statement was “at odds” with an apology being made and accepted.

Mr McDonough said that gardaí had spoken to the injured man and that was what he indicated. The apology was important to him.

Both men hoped that this would be the end of the matter, the barrister added.

Court presenter Sgt Richie Browne said that there was one previous conviction for a “minor Road Traffic offence.”

Judge Coggans remarked that it was a “completely unprovoked assault”.

In view of an apology being made and accepted, the court placed Mr Elmore on a one-year peace bond, meaning no conviction.

The judge directed that the compensation be paid over.

“I don’t think we will see him again’” she concluded.