Drug-fuelled attack ‘could have killed’ man in Ballina
Judge Eoin Garavan said he was considering a four-year prison sentence and whether to suspend some or all of that sentence.
A cocktail of cocaine and alcohol caused a man to carry out a “vicious” and unprovoked attack on two victims which left one with permanent hearing damage.
Gerry Norman, aged 23, of Cluain na Ri, Ballina pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing serious harm and assault causing harm before a sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
The injured parties Dylan Tolan, now aged 26, and Patrick Ruttledge, now aged 27, were attacked in Diamond’s car park, Ballina in the early hours of December 19, 2021.
The men were not known to the accused before the assault took place.
Gda Clodagh Murphy told the court she discovered Mr Tolan lying on the ground unconscious. He was the victim of an unprovoked one-punch assault. Mr Ruttledge was tending to his friend when he too was struck by Norman.
Mr Tolan was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He suffered multiple fractures to his skull; decreased hearing on his right ear; bleeding and bruising on the brain; and there was a leak of cerebral spinal fluid on his brain. There was also severe dental damage with fractures to eight teeth.
Gda Murphy said the combination of the punch and hitting the ground with force caused the injuries to Mr Tolan.
He has lifelong injuries with only 70% hearing capacity in his right ear. He also suffers with ongoing tinnitus.
Mr Ruttledge suffered dental injuries following the attack.
Mr Tolan has been quoted up to €6,500 for dental work while the extent of the work required for Mr Ruttledge amounts to between €1,500 and €2,000.
Norman was identified by several witnesses and later made full admissions to Gardai.
The accused has no previous convictions and works in a local abattoir.
Bernard Madden, SC, representing Norman, said probation and psychological reports showed misuse of drugs and alcohol. He is since clean of both.
He said his client is hugely remorseful and has attended an anger management course.
Counsel said that while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol Norman was induced into a “paranoid or psychotic episode.”
Judge Eoin Garavan said the combination of alcohol and cocaine turned Norman, a man of previously good character, into a “vicious, violent individual.” He said the shocking attack could have ended the life of Mr Tolan.
“This was utter pure white rage.” “So unprovoked, so violent, so aggressive,” the Judge added.
Norman had €10,000 in court as compensation to his victims. Judge Garavan directed that €8,000 go to Mr Tolan and €2,000 to Mr Ruttledge.
The Judge said he was considering a four-year prison sentence and would have to weigh up whether to suspend some or all of that sentence.
Judge Garavan adjourned sentencing until June next year.
He recommended that Norman come up with additional compensation for Mr Tolan and seek counselling.
