Man lost sight in one eye in row fired by Facebook post

A man lost the sight in one eye in a row sparked by a posting on Facebook, a court has heard.

Francis Doherty, aged 22, of Lough Lower, Cahir, Co Tipperary, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to assault causing harm to Patrick Moss, aged 23, at Bank Place in Limerick on May 20, 2011.

The court heard that Doherty kept confronting Mr Moss in the smoking area of Trinity Rooms nightclub and the men were ejected by security.

State Counsel John O’Sullivan said the last thing Mr Moss remembers was being punched in the face by Doherty outside the club. Mr Moss lost the sight in one eye, had three teeth knocked out during the assault, and suffered cuts, bruises and a fractured elbow.

Detective Garda Ivan Muldoon said there had been ill feeling between the men since they spent their schooldays together.

Defence counsel Anthony Sammon said something posted on Facebook had upset Doherty, adding to the bad blood.

Judge Carroll Moran adjourned the case to July 29 on being told that compensation of €7,000, along with monthly payments of €200, will be paid to the injured party.

Judge Moran said that the payment of compensation did not mean a prison sentence would not be imposed. He noted that Doherty had no previous convictions.