Limerick teenager lucky assault victim took charitable view

Inspector Gearoid Thompson who prosecuted the case.

A TEENAGER who broke another boy’s teeth by punching him in the face and head repeatedly was very lucky his victim took a charitable view of the matter.

Cian Lonergan (18) of Canon Lee Estate, Pallasgreen, pleaded guilty before Kilmallock District Court to assaulting a boy his own age at Togher Road in Doon on August 8, 2022.

Judge Patricia Harney heard from Inspector Gearoid Thompson that Lonergan attacked the victim, punching him in the left side of his head before landing three or four punches on his face and nose, after which he jumped into the back of a car and fled the scene.

The victim suffered injuries to his face, dental fractures, lost half a tooth, and had to have root canal treatment and a crown after the vicious assault.

The accused’s solicitor said there “was a perceived grievance on my client’s part” and that this had prompted the attack.

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The legal representative said that Lonergan had paid the €1,200 cost of the dental treatment the victim had to undergo.

Inspector Thompson told the court that the injured party had been invited to make a victim impact statement, but had said he was happy to leave the court to deal with the matter.

Judge Harney said that given the seriousness of the assault and the fact that it was a punch to the head, Lonergan was very lucky that it wasn’t more serious”.

She said that Lonergan should be grateful for the “very charitable attitude” the injured party was taking.

Taking into account the early guilty plea, and the fact that Lonergan had compensated the victim, Judge Harney convicted him with a €150 fine.

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