Unprovoked assault on Waterford Quays
The judge warned that the defendant would be "going to prison" if he returned to Waterford court for failing to pay compensation.
A Waterford man has been ordered to pay €3,500 for carrying out an unprovoked assault on a young man.
Caedyn Keating (19), of Oakwood, Cork Road, Waterford city, appeared at Waterford District Court of Appeal before Judge Eugene O'Kelly.
The court heard that on a night in late November 2023, Keating punched another young man in an unprovoked manner on The Quays, striking him several times in the face. The injured party suffered a swollen nose and two black eyes. His face was covered in blood.
CCTV footage captured Keating shadowboxing towards the victim right before attacking him.
When interviewed by Gardaí after the attack, Keating said that the victim has been acting aggressively towards him. When asked by Gardaí why he punched him, Keating said: "I don't know."
Keating attended Waterford Courthouse to appeal the severity of his sentence. Judge O'Kelly was informed that Keating had raised a sum of €1,500 in compensation for the victim. Judge O'Kelly asked when the defendant would have a 'realistic' sum available for the injured party. Defence counsel said that their client would be able to add €2,000 to the sum by November 2025.
Judge O'Kelly gave a suspended sentence of 12 months but warned that Keating would be "going to prison" if he returned to the court for failing to pay the compensation.
