A man who was described by the judge as "an unmitigated thug with no redeeming features" was sentenced to eight years imprisonment by Judge Sean O Laoire in Limerick Circuit Court on a charge which related to biting off the top of the nose of a city taxi driver.
Gordon Ryan (37), of Clarina Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, was charged with maliciously wounding Mr Anthony O'Mahony, St Munchin Street, on September 11th, 1995, at O'Connell Street, Limerick, and with occasioning him actual bodily harm.
Mr Brendan Micks, prosecuting, said as Mr O' Mahony was leaving a restaurant he was set upon for no reason by the defendant, who bit off a lump of his nose. He had to have two skin graft operations as a result.