Cocaine addict bit part of victim's ear off

A cocaine addict who bit part of a man’s ear off after chasing him from a chip shop has been sentenced to two years in prison today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Paul Dunne (aged 41) of Esker Lane, Esker Cottages, Lucan left his victim, Ian Dunne, with a large chunk missing from his ear which will probably be left mutilated because plastic surgery is not suitable.

He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm on April 14, 2006 outside Mizzoni’s Chipper on the Belgard Road in Tallaght.

Judge Katherine Delahunt suspended the final nine months of the sentence on condition Dunne undergoes nine months' supervision by the probation service.

Garda Kavanagh Burke told prosecuting counsel, Ms Caroline Biggs BL, that the victim had been drinking in a pub and went to get some food with three friends. They met the accused in the chipper and became involved in a verbal argument, after which the victim left the store.

Dunne chased after him but was stopped by the victim’s friend who told him: "He doesn’t want to fight you". They started to hit each other before the victim intervened.

Paul Dunne and Ian Dunne then started to fight. The accused knocked him to the ground and began biting his ear. The victim later told gardaí he was in shock and began to laugh.

A friend of the victim knocked Dunne off him and he was seen spitting out part of the ear. He then fled but was arrested soon after.

Ian Dunne had to wait a year and a half for cosmetic surgery and when it was carried out it was of little benefit. It still causes him pain and doctors believe it will probably be left permanently mutilated.

Defence counsel, Gerry O’Brien SC, said Dunne had a €1,000-a-month cocaine addiction at the time and also suffered from alcoholism and depression.

He said he was unemployed and had two children but was separated from his wife.