Two-year suspended sentence for hitting man with barstool
A chronic alcoholic who hit a man he saw talking to his wife over the head with a barstool has been given a two-year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Derek Grehan (aged 48), of Sundale Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to assaulting the man at McGowan's pub, Churchtown on November 5, 2006.
Judge Katherine Delahunt had adjourned the case after hearing the evidence in June to allow the defence team gather proof that Grehan is addressing his alcoholism.
She told Grehan that it was an assault on "an innocent man who had borne the brunt of your over-consumption of alcohol and jealousy".
She noted that he had managed to overcome his alcoholism previous to the assault but had lapsed on the night of the incident.
Judge Delahunt accepted that the accused had made "significant steps" to continue with his rehabilitation and that he had not come to the attention of gardai since the assault before she suspended the entire sentence on strict conditions.
Garda Kevin Drennan told Ms Lisa Dempsey BL, prosecuting, that the victim was sitting at the bar when Grehan's wife came to order drinks and they spoke for a minute. She returned some minutes later and asked him to join their group but he declined.
Garda Drennan said that, about 20 minutes later, the man felt an "explosion" as Grehan hit him on the back of the head with a barstool. A witness then saw Grehan kicking the man as he lay on the ground.
The man was taken to hospital where he was treated for a laceration to his head and bruising. Grehan was arrested and admitted the assault.
Garda Drennan said Grehan had four previous convictions dating back 20 years.
Defence counsel Mr Breffni Gordon BL said Grehan had reacted in "an appalling way" after the conversations he observed between his wife and the victim "caused him some upset".
He said there had been some "unhappy differences" between himself and his wife, both of whom are chronic alcoholics, and he has not seen her in several months.
He said Grehan was "deeply embarrassed" because the assault had taken place at a family celebration and he said he is instructed that Grehan had not taken a drink since the event.
