Victim of Waterford assault gives compensation money to charity
Waterford Courthouse
A victim of assault has chosen to give compensation money to charity.
The man suffered a minor brain bleed and concussion in 2021 due to the assault.
David Roche (35) of Ferndale, Ashley Court, pleaded guilty to assaulting the man on May 2, 2021 in Waterford.
The two men were at a party in the suburbs of Waterford City, when the victim asked to use his phone.
Roche became frustrated and struck him, causing the victim to fall back and hit his head on a wooden surface.
The victim had to spend five days in hospital for his injuries.
In the aftermath of the assault, he experienced harassment from hostile parties.
Along with the injuries, the victim also sustained a loss of earnings calculated at €7,000.
On Thursday, December 4, Roche received a three year suspended sentence from Judge Eugene O'Kelly.
At the sentencing hearing, defence Counsel Sarah Jane Comerford BL outlined how her client had stayed out of trouble with the law over the past three years, and had raised €6,000 in compensation for the victim.
The Court heard from state solicitor Frank Hutchinson that the victim did not want to accept the money and directed that the money be paid anonymously to two local charities.
