Teen jailed for stick attack on security guard

A teenager has been given two years detention by Judge Katherine Delahunt after he hit a security guard over the head with a stick, leaving him with a perforated ear drum.

Ciaran O'Brien (aged 19), of Sheelin Avenue, Ballybrack, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting the victim at Ballybrack Shopping Centre on July 21, 2005. He had nine previous convictions.

Judge Delahunt heard that the man was punched twice in the chest and kicked in the groin before O'Brien took a stick from a nearby bread van and hit him over the side of the head.

Judge Delahunt said the victim was an unfortunate man going about his business but noted that he "luckily" had made a full recovery.

She said that she had previously ordered a probation report but O'Brien "had virtually refused to engage with the Probation Service".

She ordered a second one but the updated report stated very clearly that O'Brien had no intention of co-operating with them.

Judge Delahunt said she was satisfied that the offence was towards the more serious range of the nature of assaults that come before the court before she imposed the two years detention.