Man who broke woman’s nose after she tried to break up row gets suspended sentence

A man who broke a woman’s nose on a Dublin street after she stepped in to break up a row has received a fully suspended sentence.

Roberto Arinella (28) of Mask Green, Artane, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm on Dame Street, Dublin City centre, on October 10th, 2017. The Brazilian national has no previous convictions.

Michael Hourigan BL prosecuting, said that on the date in question, Arinella had gotten into a verbal altercation on the street and that a female unknown to him accused him of touching her.

A second woman, Laura Masterson, intervened to break up the argument and was then struck by the swinging arm of Arinella.

Mr Hourigan said that Ms Masterson’s head went back, that her legs went from beneath her and that there was “blood everywhere”.

Counsel said that an ambulance was called for Ms Masterson and that she was taken to St James’ Hospital. Ms Masterson had to undergo cosmetic surgery for her broken nose.

Garda Kelly Deslandes said she was dispatched to the incident at around 3.30am on the night. She approached Arinella, who said he had struck out in self-defence. The garda viewed the incident on CCTV and told Mr Hourigan that a “large scuffle” had broken out at the time of the incident.

Gda Deslandes said that, in interview, Arinella told gardaí that he believed he was being falsely accused by the first female, which made him irate.

He told gardaí­ that after bumping arms with the first female that he heard “a scream” which led to the accusation of touching her.

Gda Deslandes said that Ms Masterson had to undergo surgery and still had difficulty breathing. The garda added that Arinella had €1,000 in court as a gesture and that he accepted he should not have done what he did.

Emmet Nolan BL, defending, said that after the verbal altercation his client felt he was “being attacked” and struck out in self-defence.

Mr Nolan said that Arinella had always been in employment and that he moved to Ireland five years ago to learn English.

Judge Martin Nolan said that Ms Masterson had made a “comparatively” good recovery from the punch, that Arinella had no previous convictions and that he had a good work history.

Judge Nolan sentenced Arinella to one year imprisonment, but suspended the sentence in its entirety on strict conditions, including that he raise a further €1,000 in compensation for the victim within 12 months.