Man jailed for hammer attack on live rival

A Swords man who broke a love rival’s jaw with a hammer causing his victim a financial loss of €12,700 due to hospital bills and being out of work, has been jailed for three years by Judge Frank O'Donnell.

Peter Flood (aged 28), of Cherry Avenue assaulted the man after he kissed and shared a taxi home with Flood’s then girlfriend.

Judge O'Donnell described Flood’s attack as “vicious” and “totally unjustified” and said it was based on “insane jealousy” and suspicion.

“This poor man has to carry the injuries for the rest of his life,” Judge O'Donnell said after noting that a victim impact report described the attack as having a dreadful affect on him.

Flood pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting the victim causing him harm on September 10, 2006.

Garda Joan Scanlon told Mr Pieter Le Vert BL, prosecuting, that the attack occurred after the victim shared a taxi home with the woman following a night out.

Flood had earlier seen the pair “kissing and holding hands” and witnesses saw the man being beaten by Flood with a hammer as he lay on the ground.

Flood ran away and his victim was taken to the hospital where he was treated for a broken jaw, broken and missing teeth, black eyes and cuts and bruising to his face and body.

Gda Scanlon agreed with defence counsel, Mr Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC, that Flood was “mad with jealousy” and accepted that this was an unprovoked attack.

Mr Ó Lideadha said Flood had written a letter of apology and could have €5,000 in compensation to offer as a token of his remorse in two or three days.