The victim had played GAA for Dublin in the 1950s and '60s.
A man who attacked an elderly man in a pub after the victim asked him to leave his daughter alone has been remanded on bail pending sentence.
Nigel McEvoy (46) of Marian Square, Clara, Co Offaly, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Paddy Keogh (then 74) at Mercantile Bar, Dame Street, Dublin on November 24, 2018. McEvoy has 14 previous convictions, nine of which are for public order offences.
A victim impact statement from Mr Keogh, prepared by his son, stated that the man was an avid GAA fan, having played for Dublin in the 1950s and 1960s. Prior to the assault he was independent and regularly attended matches but following the assault he became a recluse and was treated a number of times in hospital for panic attacks. He has not attended a GAA match since the attack.
Mr Keogh, now has early onset dementia and is a resident in a nursing home.
The court heard that Mr Keogh was standing at the bar when he noticed McEvoy approach his daughter, niece and his niece’s friend. He believed the women didn’t want the drinks McEvoy was offering to buy them and asked the man to leave them alone.
Garda Eamonn Moylan told Edward Doocey BL, prosecuting, that McEvoy then grabbed the man from behind before he punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground. He then put his foot on Mr Keogh’s neck area and put the whole weight of his body on him. He was pulled off the man and the gardaí were called.
Judge Melanie Greally, who viewed CCTV footage of the assault, described the attack as “shocking”.
She accepted that McEvoy had mental health difficulties, including a recent diagnosis of schizophrenia but said the assault had an “extremely severe impact” on Mr Keogh.
Judge Greally remanded McEvoy on continuing bail for sentence to October 5 next for sentence.
Gda Moylan told Mr Doocey that gardaí called to Mr Keogh’s home to take a statement in the days after the assault.
He told them he had attended hospital in the immediate aftermath of the assault but was not kept in. He went to his GP two days later where he was treated for swelling and cuts to his lips and nose. He had also had a tooth knocked out.
Gda Moylan agreed with Amy Heffron BL, defending, that her client had a drink problem at the time and was suffering from mental health issues. The home he was living in at the time was in very bad condition.
Ms Heffron said her client has been engaging with a psychiatrist following a recent diagnosis of schizophrenia. She said he has since got married, the couple are expecting their first child and McEvoy is staying off alcohol.
“He is a very different man to that on the CCTV footage,” Ms Heffron submitted before she requested an adjournment to allow for the preparation of various reports.
Concerns Raised Over National Lottery’s Handling Of Gambling Risks
Over €73k Awarded To Midlands Schools For Sustainability Projects
Appeal Lodged Over Slieve Blooms Quarry Expansion
Westmeath Community Group Spreads Christmas Cheer To Families In Need
Offaly Bike Shop Owner Calls For Tougher Penalties For Phone Use While Driving
Department Of Education Faces Almost 2,000 Teacher Vacancies
Midlands MEP Slams EU Commission President Over Mercosur Trade Deal Push
Revenue Seize Over €455k In Contraband In The Midlands
Westmeath Global Tech Company Set To Move Next Year
Offaly TD Makes Call For Retail Crime Reporting Systems
Westmeath Private Medical Campus Credits Public Health Cases For Success
Over 300 Irish Soldiers Spending Christmas In Lebanon
Midlands Children’s Services Project Celebrates HSE Excellence Award Wins
Midlands Towns And Villages To Receive €2.4m In Regeneration Funding
Midlands Private School Principal Urges Inclusion In Free Books Scheme
F1 Prospect Alex Dunne Brushes Off Media Speculation
Westmeath Sports Clubs Do 12 Laps of Christmas
Emergency Services At Scene Of Offaly Crash
National Mercosur Protest Set For Midlands Next Month
It Can't Go on - Laois TD Hits Out At Assessment Of Needs Waiting Lists