TWO Romanian political-asylum seekers have been given six-month suspended sentences for a vicious and unprovoked assault on a man in the centre of Dublin in 1995.
Noting that the men were not legally entitled to work in Ireland, Judge Joseph Mathews suggested the Romanian Embassy might wish to uphold the honour of the country by making a £400 contribution to the victim as compensation.
Judge Mathews told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court he had to mark the severity of the inexcusable assault but would suspend the sentences because of extenuating circumstances.
"You both came to this country seeking political asylum from a harsh regime and deprivation. Within the limits of the law, the Irish system has treated you fairly. It is wrong that in return an Irish citizen was the victim of crime," he said.
Judge Mathews said he accepted their future was uncertain and hoped their asylum applications would be completed with compassion and with speed. He also expressed his sympathy and best wishes to the victim.
Andrei Florin (29), with an address in Bray, and Gica Berhiciu (33), Griffith Road, Finglas, pleaded guilty to assaulting the victim, occasioning him actual bodily harm, at Dame Lane on November 11th, 1995.
Garda Denis Farrell, Pearse Street, said a witness described how the victim was attacked from behind by the men. They first beat him to the ground with their fists and then kicked him as he lay helpless. He suffered broken teeth bruises to his head, face and body and required stitches to the inside of his mouth.
Counsel for both men expressed remorse and regret for their actions. Mr George Birmingham, for Berhiciu, said his client was living with a Dublin woman and they had one child.