A man who attacked two strangers in an unprovoked assault on a dancefloor after taking booze and cocaine has dodged jail.
Eunan Maguire assaulted friends Aaron Pearson and Aaron Bradley at Sky Nightclub in Donegal town in Co Donegal in the early hours of March 10, 2019.
CCTV footage of the double assault showed the construction worker from Glenview, Ardara, knocking both men to the ground with two single punches before fleeing.
READ MORE: Mum who tried googling symptoms receives devastating cancer diagnosis after collapsing at work
He left one of his victims with a broken jaw and the other scarred for life.
Both men had to receive hospital treatment for their injuries in the aftermath of the attacks.
Mr Bradley received an “uppercut” from the accused and has a scar on his chin from where he was cut having had to receive several stitches.
His friend Mr Pearson suffered a fractured jaw as a result of the punch from Maguire and had to have a metal plate and screws fitted into his jaw and still finds it difficult to eat.
Maguire, now aged 25, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the men when he appeared at Donegal Circuit Court.
Investigating Garda Claire Ramsay said that both men had prepared victim impact statements but could not make it to court because of work commitments.
Aaron Bradley said he suffered a “horrendous attack” which had changed his life forever.
He said he had to undergo an operation to get plates and screws fitted into his jaw and that he finds it difficult to eat and still experiences a lot of pain and numbness.
Mr Bradley added that his life will never be the same again after the unprovoked attack.
He said “I have suffered from isolation, depression and overall negative impact on the quality of my life.
“I suffer from fear, anxiety, shock and the feeling of being unsafe when I am out with my friends and on most occasions I had to come home early.”
Aaron Pearson said he had been an outgoing, confident and sociable person who had never been involved in any altercation.
He said the psychological impact of the assault has had longer lasting effects on his mental health.
He added: “I find myself suffering from anxiety, flashbacks, and no longer feel comfortable in large crowds. I no longer feel safe in nightclubs so my social life has suffered.
“The scar on my face is a constant reminder of that night and I am very conscious of it.
“I feel when other people look at me, they are passing judgement on my character.
“The scar itself is sensitive and shaving around it is uncomfortable and time-consuming. I have grown a beard to cover it, a look which I don’t particularly like.”
From a physical point of view he said his jaw continues to cause him pain, especially when he is eating.
And he concluded: “I feel I will carry the psychological and physical impact of this assault which was totally unprovoked for the rest of my life.”
Maguire’s barrister Sean Magee said his solicitor, Frank Dorrian, had put in funds of €20,000 as a token gesture for Maguire’s wrongdoing.
Passing sentence, Judge John Aylmer said both assault causing harm charges merited sentences of three years each but he suspended the sentence over mitigating factors.
They included that Maguire had pleaded guilty at an early stage, had no previous convictions and had not come to the attention of gardai since.
The court was also told a civil case is currently underway on behalf of one of the victims.
READ NEXT:
- Limerick pensioners hit with €80 fines for leaving cars outside homes - as they’ve done for 50 years
- Irish soccer fans blast 'rip-off' price of controversial new jersey
- One dead in horror two-vehicle crash as gardai shut road overnight
- 'My friend Annie McCarrick boarded a bus and was never seen again - someone robbed her of her life'
- Shoppers divided over ‘shocking dear’ SuperValu biscuits - as some argue price ‘isn’t too bad’
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
