Shels fan avoids jail for attack on teen Cork fan

A Shelbourne football fan has been given a suspended sentence for attacking a 16-year-old Cork City fan, causing serious head injuries, during a post-match brawl.

Peter Mullen, aged 21, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting the youth causing him harm at Drumcondra Rd Lower on May 14, 2011.

Yesterday, Judge Mary Ellen Ring heard that Mullen has taken positive steps to deal with his anger issues.

She commented that he might have a few tips for “a certain Mr Suarez”, referring to the Uruguayan footballer who was recently banned for biting an opponent during a World Cup match.

Judge Ring imposed a two-and-a-half-year term, which she suspended in full for 12 months.

Mullen, of Tolka Rd, Ballybough, Dublin, was 18 at the time of the assault.

He was arrested in September 2011 and told gardaí he hit the victim three times in the face and kicked him once. He said the victim had thrown the first punch at him.

Mullen said the trouble began at half-time, when a bunch of Cork fans began shouting at him.

After the match, a group of Shelbourne fans met some Cork City fans on Richmond Rd and a fight broke out.

The victim was knocked unconscious during the brawl after the match and when he woke up in hospital a few days later, he could not remember anything about it.

In a victim impact report, his family says he has had difficulty remembering things since.