A STUDENT who left permanent scars on the face of a man he slashed with a glass has been given a four year sentence by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Carl Hogarty (21), of Bourne Road, Ashbourne, Co Meath pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Philip Quinn, occasioning him actual bodily harm, at Fibber Magees nightclub in Dublin city centre on August 5th, 1994.
Judge Kieran O'Connor suspended the sentence after being told Hogarty began attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings while in custody on rem and for the past five months. His father has raised £5,000 compensation for Mr Quinn.
At an earlier hearing, Garda Gerard Leneghan had said Mr Quinn and some friends were approached by Hogarty in the disco and asked for a cigarette. When they refused, Hogarty lashed out with the glass.
Mr Quinn received cuts below and above his left eye which required 24 stitches. The eye itself was penetrated and he underwent micro surgery to replace the lens. The glass permanently damaged the cornea.
Mr Brendan Grogan SC, defending, said Judge Michael Moriarty had remanded his client in custody to allow him to see the inside of one of the State's penal institutions and reflect on the injury he had caused.
Mr Grogan said Hogarty had a good record of academic and athletic achievement. He had behaved well in custody and helped to organise games as well as taking steps to deal with his alcohol problem. He realised there was no excuse for using the glass simply because he thought he had been jostled by the victim a short time earlier.
Judge O'Connor told Hogarty his conduct was appalling. It was a tragedy to see such a bright person before the court on such a charge. His dreadful attack could not have been justified even if Mr Quinn had jostled him.
Hogarty was being released under strict conditions and if he did not obey the probation service, including continued attendance at AA meetings, he would serve the full four years.