Lecturer avoids jail for on-pitch assault

A FRIENDLY soccer game came to a violent end when a lecturer assaulted an engineer, causing him serious injuries, a court heard.

After a number of hearings at Limerick Circuit Court, Frederic Royall who pleaded guilty to assaulting Hooman Reyhani at a sports complex at the University of Limerick, was yesterday bound to the peace for three years and put on probation.

Judge Carroll Moran said Dr Reyhani had been treated in a disgraceful manner by Royall.

Royall settled a High Court action last October for €100,000 arising out of the assault.

After leaving court, Mr Reyhani said: “My wife and I are very aware of the importance of having compassion and forgiveness in our lives. The criminal and civil cases would have been resolved promptly and amicably if the defendant had expressed genuine remorse for his actions.”

The assault happened during a six-a-side game on August 3, 2007.

Iranian-born Mr Reyhani, aged 44, broke his leg in two places when he fell after he was punched by Royall, aged 51, following a verbal exchanges.

Mr Reyhani said he has been through “an absolute nightmare” since the incident. He was on crutches for three months and could not drive for five months.

Royall, of Mounsthannon Road, Lisnagry, Co Limerick, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing of the court to assault and sentencing was postponed to allow for the completion of the High Court civil action.

Mr Reyhani said yesterday he had agreed to a €100,000 settlement in the High Court, but his medical and legal bills had come to €75,000. He said he had agreed to the settlement as he could no longer be in the same room as Royall.

The court had been told at an earlier hearing by Garda Mark McGauley: “There was a verbal dispute regarding a tackle on one player and as the injured player turned away, suddenly and without warning Dr Royall lunged at him and punched him on the side of the face.”

Dr Reyhani said he was caught completely unawares by the attack. “I was walking away and he struck me. I had my back to him. It was completely cowardly. There was a game between people who have a very high status in society… I played soccer with average people on the street and they know where to draw the line. Football is about highs and lows, but you need to respect others. This was too far.”