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.