Skull fractured with hatchet

A YOUNG man who went home to get a hatchet and then used it to fracture another youth’s skull on bonfire night was jailed for a year yesterday.

Judge Seán O Donnabháin said: “This was a serious assault. For a man to leave a bonfire, go home and get a hatchet and strike another man with it causing him permanent scarring.”

The judge then imposed an 18-month sentence on Daniel Dilworth, aged 22, and agreed to suspend the last six months of that sentence.

Dilworth of 222 Connolly Road, Ballyphehane, Cork, was sentenced on the charge of assault causing harm to Stephen Roche at a bonfire in Grange, Douglas, Cork, on June 23, 2009. A charge of producing a hatchet during the attack was taken into consideration.

Dermot Sheehan barrister said Dilworth came from a good home and had good family support but had a problem with epileptic seizures. He said the defendant had been addicted to prescription tablets but had done well since the incident occurred.

Earlier this week Dilworth pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, shortly after the jury was sworn in, the case was re-arraigned and he changed his plea to one of guilty to both counts.

Judge Seán O Donnabháin said the level of violence offered on the night was such that it warranted a custodial sentence.