Prison term for Louth man who left victim permanently scarred

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A 44-year-old man who left another male scarred for life after a late night assault has been jailed for one year.

Jonathan Murray, Clann Chulainn Park, Farndreg Estate, Dundalk, had signed a plea of guilty to a charge of assault causing harm arising out of an incident in Park Street on July 24, 2022.

Judge Dara Hayes imposed a two-year, three-month sentence and suspended the final 15 months for 15 months.

The case had been adjourned from last April to give the defendant an opportunity to get compensation.

There was no compensation available. The court heard that Mr Murray had lost a part-time job in the meantime having previously had a good work record.

However, Judge Hayes said that the absence of compensation was not determining it should be a custodial sentence.

Det Gda James Smith gave evidence that the victim left Brubakers with friends, intending to go to the taxi rank.

He knew the accused as ‘Muscles Murray’. There was a verbal exchange between them.

Mr Murray lunged towards him and punched him on the back of the head, causing his head to hit off the ground.

A glass he was holding was placed on the ground before the assault happened. It was not used.

The victim doesn’t remember the assault occurring. He may have lost consciousness. He was intoxicated.

This man had a cut above his right eye which required seven stitches.

On June 30, 2023, the defendant voluntarily attended the garda station to make a statement. He admitted his involvement but didn’t recall the incident. He identified himself from CCTV footage.

In a Victim Impact Statement the injured man said that his life has not been the same since.

The scar gave people the wrong idea about him. His children had to look at his face.

He suffered from migraines and flashbacks.

Barrister Donough McDonough, instructed by solicitor Niall Breen, said that there was no excuse for what Jonathan Murray did.

In March 2022 the married father of 5 children suffered a heart attack at home and had stents inserted.

Judge Hayes said that the victim had been left with a 4cm scar on his face. It was clear that a glass had not been used, otherwise it could have been much more serious.

There had been an early plea of guilty by the defendant whose relevant previous convictions were of some antiquity.

The judge continued that a man had been attacked and left scarred. Perhaps there was some form of derogatory comment made by him but that was no excuse for what followed.

Fights outside pubs late at night have the potential for catastrophic injuries or worse, he added.