AWOL army trainee punched taxi driver three times in face

Judge fully suspends jail term on the condition that a further €4k compensation is fully paid by September

The late night assault left the taxi driver with facial injuries.

A Tipperary man who was absent without leave (AWOL) from a trainee post in the Irish army attacked a taxi driver in Cork by punching him three times in the face during a late-night violent incident.

The assault on the taxi driver occurred in Bishopstown when the accused and another man were travelling as backseat passengers.

Mark Beresford, age 30, of Gortnataggart, Thurles, Co Tipperary, got out of the car, opened the driver’s door, and from a standing position punched the driver three times in the face. The driver is still suffering the consequences of the injuries three years later.

A fully suspended jail term was imposed at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where Beresford pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to the driver on May 1, 2021, at Curraheen Road, Bishopstown.

Defence barrister Mahon Corkery said the accused brought compensation to court in the sum of €2,000. He wanted to gather €4,000 more.

Suspending a two-year sentence, Judge Cormac Quinn said it was a term of the suspension that the accused would hand over €4,000 to an Garda Síochána for onward transmission to the injured party.

The circumstances of the violent assault were outlined by Garda Danny Murray.

The taxi driver picked up the two men in Cork city that night and they asked to be driven to Thurles, Co Tipperary.

However, at Lower Glanmire Road, they changed their mind and said that instead they wanted to be taken to Bishopstown.

The defendant argued with the driver at Bishopstown and he got out of the back seat.

“He opened driver’s door and punched him three times in the face,” Garda Murray said.

It later established that Beresford was AWOL from defence forces training at the time of this incident.

Judge Quinn said: “This was an unprovoked attack on the taxi driver which has had a bad effect on him. He has four children to provide for. He spends his time looking after his children or providing for them.”

The judge said that previous public order convictions against the accused were an aggravating factor in the case.

Questioned by gardaí about the assault, the defendant said he could not remember it but he did not deny it happening.

Judge Quinn accepted that the defendant showed appropriate remorse and shame.

The judge said: “I will impose a sentence of 18 months. I will suspend it fully.”

Beresford is required to keep the peace for the next two years, present another €4,000 compensation by September, and attend for all probation service appointments in the next 18 months. He is also required to engage with addiction services.