Couple stabbed man with broken bottle and umbrella outside pub, court told

A MOTHER-OF-TWO struck a man with a broken bottle while her partner stabbed the victim with an umbrella, a court heard yesterday.

The victim sustained horrific injuries, requiring 40 stitches and seven staples.

Both defendants, who pleaded guilty, left court yesterday with suspended sentences.

Rachel Casey, 24, formerly of Templegreen, Newcastle West pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to assault, causing harm to Mark Dooley outside a Limerick pub on the night of a major hurling game in the city.

Her partner, Andrew Colbert also 24, formerly of 105 Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, Limerick pleaded guilty to the same charge.

The court heard Casey hit Mr Dooley with a broken bottle and Colbert stabbed him with a broken umbrella.

Ms Casey, expecting her third child in June, had a previous conviction for assault.

State prosecutor John O’Sullivan BL said the assaults were carried out at about 9pm on July 8, 2007, outside Charlie Chaplin’s bar in Chapel Street in the city centre.

Mr Dooley, 29, a native of Co Clare had been living in Limerick for four years and had gone to the pub with his fiancée.

There were many people socialising on the night following a hurling game between Limerick and Waterford.

Mr Dooley knew some of the bar staff and he saw they were having difficulty outside with two men and a woman and he went to see if he could assist them.

Colbert proceeded to stab Mr Dooley in the side with a broken umbrella and Mr Dooley managed to get the umbrella from him.

Casey grabbed a broken bottle and hit Mr Dooley on the head with it. She also struck him with her high heel shoe.

Mr Dooley received wounds to the head, neck and abdomen which needed 40 stitches and seven staples. His injuries included a fractured forehead bone and an internal eye injury.

Det Sgt Kevin McHugh said Mr Dooley was also very shocked at the ferocity of the attack which was caught on CCTV.

The court was told that after being arrested, Casey made admissions and identified herself on CCTV. She did not assist in identifying Colbert who subsequently went voluntarily and made admissions to his role in the assault. Both had a lot of drink taken at the time.

Casey has two children aged nine and two and was due to give birth in June, the court heard.

The couple now live in Raheen.

Judge Carroll Moran said it was a particularly nasty assault in which the injured party received serious injuries.

He said people who use bottles in assaults have to be aware of the catastrophic injuries that can be caused.

While both had psychiatric problems, they were now mentally well.

Judge Moran said a disturbing aspect was that Casey had a conviction for an assault in 2009.

He imposed three-year suspended sentences on both.