Man 'scarred for life' by gang attack
A Polish national has been left scarred for life after a gang attack which began when he told a teenage girl that he did not have a cigarette, a court has heard.
Two teenage boys, both aged 17, and a 16-year-old girl appeared at the Children's Court today charged with assault causing harm and violent disorder, at a park in Fairview, in north Dublin, on May 30 last year.
Judge Brendan Toal was given an outline of the allegations to determine whether they should stand trial in the juvenile court or instead be sent forward to the Circuit Court which has wider sentencing powers.
The court heard that the victim, who is in his 40s, had been making his way through a park when he was set on by about 15 youths. Detective Garda Sinead Green said the victim suffered cuts and bruising and was left with a permanent scar to his face.
A medical report showed he had “stab wounds to his back, posterior and the back of his head”.
It was alleged that the attack began when a teenage girl had asked him for a cigarette and when he said he had none, she swung a tree branch at him. A group of youths then attacked him.
It was alleged that he climbed under a fence on to Annesley Bridge Road, where the attack continued.
Det Gda Green said “a glass bottle was smashed over his head” by one of the male defendants. It was also alleged that boy “kicked the injured party when he lay on the ground to his head”.
Pleading for his case to be kept in the juvenile court, the defence submitted that the teenager had been immature at the time and had been abusing drugs.
A youth worker said the boy had since cut ties with a peer group he had associated with at the time. The boy's father had not had much involvement in his life, the court also heard.
The youth worker also said that teen had shown an improvement over the past eight months and is taking part in a training course and counselling.
The judge held that this boy should face trial in the Circuit Court and remanded him to appear again in December when he is to be served with a book of evidence.
The teenage girl allegedly kicked the victim in the head when he lay on the ground and when gardaí arrived tried to kick him again, the court heard. The judge ruled that she would also be tried in the Circuit Court. She is to appear again in January to be served with a book of evidence.
Judge Toal accepted jurisdiction to deal with the case of the third defendant. The court heard it was alleged that he stood over the victim as he was attacked and “prevented him from getting up.”
The court heard he had learning problems but had not come to garda attention since and did not have any previous convictions. He is to appear again at the Children's Court in December when he is to enter pleas to the charges.
