Suspended term for biting off ear

The aftermath of a 12 pubs of Christmas night out saw one student bite off the ear of another student in his class and yesterday, after a month in jail, the accused man was given a three-year suspended jail sentence.

Michael Aherne, aged 29, of Barrett’s Hill, Ballinhassig, Co Cork, had been remanded in custody since last month after pleading guilty to assault causing serious harm to Colm Holland.

Mr Holland had intervened to protect another student during the night out on December 20, 2013.

Defence senior counsel Alice Fawsett said it was a series of relatively minor altercations to begin with in the early hours of that morning. The situation was aggravated by the fact that a third party kicked both men when they were on the ground, causing each to believe they were under further attack.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin

took into consideration that the defendant had gathered €12,500, regarded as an indication of his remorse.

The judge imposed a three-year jail sentence, backdated to last month when the accused went into custody and the remainder of which was suspended from yesterday.

He said previously:

“This is a very difficult case for two young men, one of whom is blighted for life, the other has a conviction and potential for a prison sentence.”

Detective Garda Anne O’Sullivan said after the attack on South Main St,

the ear was recovered on the roadway.

“His ear was reattached but unfortunately his ear had to be amputated as the surgery was not a success.”

Read more of today’s news here