Irish Olympic boxing hopeful admits assault causing harm
A “championship” boxer who knocked a man to the ground in a one-punch assault may be ordered to perform community service in lieu of a two-year sentence.
Olympic 2012 hopeful Martin Stokes (aged 23) lashed out when he mistakenly believed he was about to be set upon by people who had earlier attacked his friend.
Stokes then pulled away a co-accused who kicked and punched the victim while he lay on the ground.
Stokes, of Old Castle Park Green, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at Westmoreland Street on November 28, 2008. He has no previous convictions and had never come to garda attention.
Defence counsel, Mr Shane Costelloe BL, said Stokes, who will fight a bout in January for a place on the Irish National Team for the Olympics in London, was “very embarrassed and remorseful”.
Judge Katherine Delahunt noted that Stokes was “not the major aggressor” in the assault and that he was actively volunteering in his community. She said he was “a positive role model but now unfortunately has a significant stain”.
She said she did not see any benefit in him serving a custodial sentence and adjourned the case until January 19 next to assess his suitability for community service.
Garda Philip Byrne told Mr Paul Carroll BL, prosecuting, that there had been a number of incidents in the area that night and prior to this assault there was an altercation involving a friend of Stokes. Neither Stokes nor his victim were involved in these incidents.
Gda Byrne said Stokes and his co-accused were approached by the victim and his friend.
Stokes mistakenly got the impression that the man had been involved in the earlier incident and delivered one punch knocking the man to the ground. His co-accused then punched and kicked the man on the ground before Stokes pulled him away.
The injured party had two front teeth knocked out, other teeth loosened and also suffered lacerations.
Gda Byrne agreed with Mr Costelloe that after delivering the punch Stokes turned around if there were any more people coming and when he turned back around he saw his co-accused kicking the victim and pulled him away.
Mr Costelloe said Stokes was a championship boxer and had represented various clubs in the heavyweight and super-heavy weight divisions.
Stokes is currently training for a bout in January which his coaches are hopeful will see him get a place on the Irish National Team for the 2012 Olympics in London.
He said Stokes did not go out looking for a fight and it was only when he thought he was going to be set upon that he reacted. He said Stokes was “deeply ashamed because he holds up himself as a role model to others in the travelling community”.
Mr Costelloe said Stokes was actively involved in coaching young boys in boxing and helping others in his community remain law abiding. Character references described him as a “genuine lad” who helped out within his family and community.
He said Stokes was engaged to be married and his partner was expecting their first child. He has not come to any further garda attention and has “begged and borrowed” €5,000 to offer as compensation.
He submitted this was a “once-off aberration” due to mistaken circumstance rather out of a desire to do harm.
