Suspended sentence for man who stamped and kicked victim

An attic conversion contractor who stamped and kicked a man's head during a Malahide pub melee has been given a suspended sentence by Judge Frank O'Donnell.

Brian Craine (33) of Clonshaugh Road, Coolock pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the victim at Gibneys Pub, on June 11, 2003.

Garda Shane McGrath told prosecuting counsel, Mr Garret Baker BL, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that Craine had no previous convictions and hadn't come to garda notice since then.

Judge O'Donnell told Craine he had attacked the man "for no justifiable reason" but noted that his victim had accepted his subsequent apology as genuine.

Judge O'Donnell imposed a two year sentence which he suspended on strict conditions.

Gda McGrath said the victim was socialising with friends when he noticed a person he knew in a melee. He became involved and was assaulted by Craine who stamped and kicked his head and threw a steel chair at his ribs. A second person cracked a chair over the victim's head.