A Dublin man who stabbed an English visitor several times in the back and chest in a vicious attack has been jailed for 71/2 years by Judge Elizabeth Dunne.
David Colclough (21), of Pearse Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing serious harm to 46-year-old David Richardson and to attempted robbery of the handbag of Mrs Laverne Richardson on June 11th, 2000.
Mr Richardson and his wife were in Ireland celebrating their wedding anniversary as well as visiting their son who lived and worked in Dublin and was celebrating his 24th birthday.
Judge Dunne described it as an "extremely serious incident" and recognised the traumatic effects the attack had on Mr Richardson and his family.
"It is clear that this incident developed out of racial taunts that were directed at the Richardson family but I accept that none of the taunts were inflicted by Mr Colclough," she said.
"Nevertheless, it was a savage attack and the court must view it as such. It is probably a miracle that Mr Richardson survived his injuries but he is still very ill and is likely to be for some time."
Det Sgt Oliver McEnerney told Mr Hugo Hynes BL, prosecuting, that David and Laverne Richardson were staying with their son in his flat in Ringsend for the weekend.
They were returning along Pearse Street from a restaurant in the city centre at approximately 12.40 a.m and encountered a group of youths who began making racial comments such as "nigger" and made certain animal noises at them.
The Richardsons walked on but Christian decided to turn back and confront the gang. He then noticed another group crossing the road and was left facing a group of between six and eight. They attacked him and he picked up a brick, threw it and ran off.
His parents followed him and the gang gave chase. They hurled empty beer cans at the family before catching up with them at a bus stop where David Richardson was knocked to the ground. Another three youths began to beat Christian but he was able to defend himself.
Det Sgt McEnerney said David was kicked in the face a number of times while on the ground. Colclough then produced a Swiss Army knife and attempted to take Mrs Richardson's handbag. She held on to it and he turned his attention to the injured Mr Richardson.
Colclough stabbed him twice in the back and then a number of times in the chest before the gang ran off. The stabbed man was taken to St James's Hospital where he was in intensive care for seven days.