
A MAN who repeatedly stamped on another manโs head during an unprovoked attack at a Limerick hotel has walked free from court after receiving a fully suspended sentence.
Lee OโBrien, (25), with an address at Cratloe Woods Student Village, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Danny Sutton, Kilmacthomas, Waterford, at the South Court Hotel, Raheen on ย September 9, 2018.
Following his arrest, OโBrien, who did not know the victim, told Gardai he was disgusted by his actions.
The unprovoked attack occurred in the early hours of the morning near the hotelโs residents bar, and after the accused had consumed alcohol, which he had an addiction to.
Itโs understood Mr Sutton, who had been staying at the hotel after attending an event at an exhibition centre in Limerick, attempted to intervene in an argument involving OโBrien and members of his family, however OโBrien lashed out, punching Mr Sutton and knocking him to the ground.
OโBrien continued attacking Mr Sutton as he lay on the ground, and after having walked away, he returned and stamped on Mr Suttonโs head at least three times.
Judge Tom O’Donnell described Mr O’Brien’s actions as an unprovoked and very violent attack.
“Heย clearly targeted the victimโs head with several stamps. He took a deliberate position and delivered a number of stamps to the victimโs head.โ
Judge OโDonnell said it was fortunate Mr Suttonโs injuries were not as serious as they could have been.
Mr Sutton suffered cuts, lacerations, and bruising to an eye and to his head, but he did not sustain โlong lasting injuries and he made a full recoveryโ, the judge said.
The assault was captured on closed circuit television camerasย at the hotel and the footage โclearly showed Mr OโBrien as the aggressor and stamping on Mr Sutton a number of times”.
After his arrest OโBrien made full admissions, telling Gardai, โdrink doesnโt agree with meโ and he admitted the attack was disgusting.
Whenย he was charged with assault causing harm, OโBrien replied: โIโm very sorry.โ
The judge said it appeared an argument had broken out between members of OโBrienโs party โand Mr Sutton may have gone to calm it down and the accused lost his temper and kicked and punched and stamped on himโ.
The court heard OโBrien had 16 previous convictions, including for assault and burglary, and theft.
OโBrienโs barrister said his client was a loving father with a long term partner, and was โabsolutely appalled at his own behaviourโ.
โHe had quite a tough upbringing, lost his father when he was ten and he fell in with the wrong crowd,โ he added.
The court heard OโBrien had since mended his waysย and wasย exceptionally apologetic. He had found full-time employment, was attending Alcoholics Anonymous, and had engaged in residential treatment for his addiction.
He had alsoย offered โฌ500 compensation to the victim.
Judge OโDonnell said the fact the attack was completely unprovoked was concerning and that OโBrien, from his previous convictions, had shown a โpropensity for violence, which is magnified by alcoholโ.
In light of his early guilty plea, and his efforts to rehabilitate himself, the judge imposed a suspended two-year jail sentence and ordered he pay Mr Sutton โฌ500 compensation.
He added thatย he would activate the suspended sentence if O’Brien got into trouble within the next two years.