Tourist left with glass in his face after attack

Two American tourists were viciously assaulted by a group of youths after trying to stop a robbery, a court has heard.

When the attackers threw glass bottles the tourists attempted to get into taxis to escape but the “drivers didn’t want to know about it”, a garda told the court.

One of the victims, Garth Russell, is a stockbroker in New York. He suffered permanent facial scaring and still has glass embedded in his face. The court heard his career has suffered greatly because he no longer meets with clients due to his scar.

The court heard that his brother Patrick suffered a broken arm as he tried to defend himself from one of the group.

Anthony Clifford, aged 23, yesterday appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in connection with his role in the attack.

Clifford, of Mourne Rd, Drimnagh, pleaded guilty to two counts of violent disorder in Temple Bar on April 29, 2012.

Judge Mary Ellen Ring adjourned sentencing to later this month. She called it “an outrageous attack” and said Clifford would be facing eight years in jail if he had taken a trial. She said he is facing a consecutive sentence as he was on bail at the time for a hijacking.

Garda Amanda Flood told prosecuting counsel John Fitzgerald BL that the brothers were walking through the area when they came across a man lying on the ground surrounded by a group of youths.

When they realised he was being robbed, Garth Russell stepped in and said “come on guys, break it up”.

The garda said the group started threatening Garth, at which point his brother Patrick stepped in.

The group began assaulting the brothers by “throwing punches” causing them to flee down an alley.

Gardaí recognised Clifford on CCTV footage. He was arrested and in interview said he was “just helping his mates”.