Man with 102 convictions attacked elderly man in unprovoked assault outside Ballybricken pub
The assault occurred outside The Exchange bar, Ballybricken.
A Waterford man viciously assaulted an elderly man in an unprovoked attack outside a pub in Ballybricken.
Gary Dineen (34) of Gracedieu Road, Waterford, was sentenced to six years prison, with 18 months suspended, for attacking a man outside The Exchange pub.
Dineen appeared at Waterford Circuit Court this week before Judge Eugene O’Neill for his sentencing.
The Court heard how at around 1am on May 12, 2024, Dineen attacked a man in his 70’s who had just stepped out of the establishment. Dineen struck him, causing the man to fall down on the ground, while Dineen proceeded to kick him multiple times. The Court heard that members of the public believed that Dineen was going to kill the man.
Judge O’Kelly confirmed that he had previously seen photographs of the victims’ injuries, namely his broken nose and cheekbone.
Dineen had been approached by An Garda Síochána in the hours leading up to the attack. Earlier that evening, Dineen had been refused entry into the Wetherspoons pub at Arundel Square. He stated at the time that he wanted to go home. Soon afterwards, Dineen stopped at the Chick Chuck shop on Mayor’s Walk and was abusive to staff. A few minutes after Gardaí received that call, they were directed to The Exchange on a report of assault.
Dineen was arrested and made no comment answers during his interview with Gardaí.
Gareth Hayden BL, told the Court that his client fully accepted his wrongdoing, pleaded guilty at the earliest juncture and was ‘ashamed’ of his actions. Mr Hayden said that his client had severe issues with alcohol and was able to ‘stay out of trouble’ during periods of sobriety.
The Court heard that Dineen had 102 previous convictions, 30 of which were based in the UK. Dineen had a number of convictions for public order offences and abusive behaviour. He served five months in prison for punching a paramedic in March, 2024. On another occasion he spat blood at a Garda.
In sentencing, Judge O’Kelly pressed on the accused’s previous convictions and the age disparity between himself and the victim. Dineen was sentenced to six years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended in mitigation of the early guilty plea and apology.
