2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Tom Tuite)
A father of one who assaulted a hotel security guard in a drunken rage after missing a concert in Dublin has been spared jail and a criminal conviction. Mark McAnulty, 42, Rossmara Park, Newry, Co Down, punched and repeatedly spat in the security guard's face while pulling out some of his hair. He pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court on Tuesday to assault causing harm, resisting arrest and criminal damage on November 7.
However, he was granted the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act after paying compensation. Judge John King heard that McAnulty got agitated at 10:50pm in the Premier Inn , Brabazon Place, Dublin 8. A 26-year-old security officer approached McAnulty and asked him to leave.
In response, the accused threw two pint glasses, which smashed and stained the carpet. The security man tried to remove McAnulty, who "spat into his face a number of times punched and pulled his hair, causing some of his hair to come out from his head". Gardai found him outside, very intoxicated and agitated.
"He put up a struggle and had to be restrained" before being taken to Kevin Street station," the court was told. McAnulty remained aggressive in custody and urinated on the cell door, which needed to be cleaned. He had no previous convictions.
Pleading for leniency, the defence asked the judge to note that the victim did not need medical attention and continued working. The court heard he came to Dublin by train with friends but started drinking on the trip to the city. He had been going to a concert at the Vicar Street venue but had separated from his companions.
In a plea for leniency, his barrister said McAnulty did not know the city well and instead ended up indulging in several licensed premises and "consumed a considerable amount of alcohol". It happened after a period of "quite a while" where he had abstained from alcohol. He also spent two nights in custody in the immediate aftermath until €650 bail was lodged.
Counsel asked the judge to give McAnulty credit for his guilty plea and remorse and to consider that the victim did not suffer any injuries and carried on his shift. The court heard unemployed McAnulty gets a disability allowance called the Personal Independence Payment due to depression and physical health issues. Court Garda Sergeant Niall Murphy, who presented the case facts on behalf of the arresting officer, accepted the victim did not seek medical attention and continued working.
But he submitted that did not make it any less serious. McAnulty was ordered to pay compensation of €1,500 to the security guard and €120 to cover the clean-up costs at the Garda station and the hotel. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
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