Teen thief beat man, 76, for €3

A retired sportswriter was “savagely” beaten and kicked during a €3 robbery by a teenager who now takes part in martial arts events.

Eamon Horan, 76, was confined to a liquid diet for a year after the attack in Tralee, Co Kerry.

In a victim impact statement read out on his behalf at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court, he thanked a taxi driver for saving his life and described himself as “one of the lucky ones”. His jaw was broken in two places, his nose was fractured, and he suffered abrasions. Part of his hospital bill amounted to €3,500.

David Garbanowski, of Shanakill Court, Tralee, pleaded guilty to the €3 robbery and assault of Mr Horan at Cloonbeg, Tralee on Jul 28, 2011.

Polish-born Garbanowski was 16 at the time of the offences and yesterday was handed a three-year jail sentence. Investigating Garda Det Tom Burke said that the motive appeared to be money.

Mr Horan, a former Kerryman journalist, had been for a social drink to his local bar in Ballymullen.

Shortly before midnight, as he walked home, three males dressed in hoodies approached.

Garbanowski struck Mr Horan in the face and chest a number of times and then kicked him on the ground. The teenager ran off when a passing taxi driver stopped.

Garbanowski, now aged 18, trains as a kick boxer and takes part in martial arts events, Det Gda Burke said.

Defence counsel Brian McInerney said his client had had serious family difficulties at the time of the incident and had been sleeping rough for two days.

“He apologises to Mr Horan,” said Mr McInerney. He was also willing to make financial restitution.

Judge Carroll Moran said: “This was a very bad assault, as bad as I’ve come across in a case of arbitrary robbery of somebody innocently walking down the street. For this violent robbery he got just €3.

“The savagery of the attack is borne out by the injuries Mr Horan received.”