Clare man to be sentenced over one-punch assault outside Limerick pub

A MAN was knocked unconscious and suffered a fractured jaw after he was punched outside a city pub in an incident “fuelled by alcohol”.

Ryan Downes, aged 31, of Lemanaghmore, Newmarket on Fergus, County Clare pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on Thomas Street on May 12, 2019.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley BL, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the case with the assistance of Garda Catherine Anderson.

“The victim was out socialising in The Still House bar on Thomas Street in Limerick city.

“He came into contact with the accused who is known to him from a family connection. They spoke initially on friendly terms,” said Ms Buckley.

Ms Buckley outlined that later on the night in question Mr Downes said the partner of the victim “needed to shut her mouth”.

The court heard the accused had been on the phone talking to his own partner.

“The victim's view is that it was fuelled by alcohol. He said it was like turning on a light switch. He sought to disengage and went to walk away.

“The accused punched the victim in the left jaw and he fell against the partition of The Still House. He was knocked unconscious. The next thing he remembers is waking up in an ambulance.

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“His left jaw was broken, he required surgery and a metal plate was inserted, which is for the rest of his life, as a result of the punch,” said Ms Buckley, who added that Mr Downes has no previous convictions in Ireland but has one in the UK for public order.

A victim impact statement was read out to the court. It outlined the victim’s fear of being assaulted again, he can’t eat the way he used to and is in physical pain that is “never going to go away”.

Aaron Desmond BL, who represented Mr Downes, put it to Garda Anderson that intoxication was a central aspect of the case, prior to the assault the victim and accused were on friendly terms and his client attended Mayorstone garda station voluntarily.
Garda Anderson agreed.

Mr Desmond said Mr Downes has instructed him to offer an unreserved apology to the victim and express his remorse and genuine regret for the harm he has caused.

The barrister spoke of the part intoxication played but that in no way did it excuse Mr Downes’ behaviour.

“It was a central aspect to the offending behaviour and gives context to the incident,” said Mr Desmond.

The barrister said a report completed by the Probation Service said that his client is at the low end of re-offending.

“He has three young children,” said Mr Desmond, who asked for six months for Mr Downes to pay compensation due to the time of the year.

Judge Dermot Sheehan said it was a serious matter involving a single punch which fractured a man’s jaw.

“He has apologised and shown remorse.

“I am reluctant to give him time as it is a very old case but I will afford him the opportunity to express the remorse he says he has,” said Judge Sheehan, who adjourned the case until March to give Mr Downes time to have €5,000 in compensation for the victim.