Man who punched pensioner during doorstep row may face higher compensation
A man convicted of assaulting a pensioner is facing the prospect of increased compensation, after failing to appear at his appeal hearing
Shane O’Brien (44), with an address at Slievenaglough, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, appeared before Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on a District Court appeal.
Mr O’Brien was not present due to work commitments.
He had originally been sentenced to a total of four months in prison by Judge Nicola Andrews in late 2025.
Mr O’Brien had contested the assault charge at a hearing in July 2025.
The court heard that the injured party, a man in his seventies, was at home in May 2023 when he heard a knock at his window.
The Dundalk man knocked on the door for approximately 30 minutes before the pensioner’s wife opened it.
She was pushed aside before Mr O’Brien struck the man in the face.
An investigating garda told Louth District Court that Mr O’Brien was known to the injured party and was later arrested at the mobile home where he was living at the time.
Counsel for the accused, Conor Rubalcava, told the court that Judge Patrick Quinn had previously heard the facts of the case on appeal and that agreed compensation of €1,000 is currently being held in the instructing solicitor’s safe.
Sergeant McLeonard of Louth Garda said the injured party wishes for the money to be donated to the Maria Goretti Foundation, and also alleged that the defendant has since “made hand gestures” at him.
Judge Patrick Quinn said this behaviour “does not impress” him and adjourned the matter so that Mr O’Brien can be present in court.
He warned Mr Rubalcava that his client may be required to pay additional compensation, noting that the State had incurred costs due to Sgt McLeonard travelling to Wicklow.
The defendant is due to appear before Louth Circuit Court in June.