No jail for man who kicked 'innocent stranger' in the face

A 24-year-old Dublin man has received a suspended sentence of two and a half years for an unprovoked attack on a French tourist.

Darren O'Byrne of Cloonmore Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown on June 19, 2010.

French visitor Victor Ribeiro was attacked in Tallaght returning home from a night out in the city centre.

He and a friend stepped out of a taxi in when without warning he was punched by a group of two or three young people.

He was hit repeatedly and fell to the ground. The beating continued when eight more people arrived, including the accused O'Byrne who admits kicking Victor Ribeiro in the face.

Eventually the victim managed to escape. He told gardaí he was in fear for his life. He has returned to France and has made a full recovery.

O'Byrne has paid him €1,600 compensation as a show of remorse.

He received the suspended sentence for his part in attacking the man described by the judge as "an innocent stranger and visitor to this country".