Bouncer assault charge dismissed

A 30-year-old man, accused of assaulting a bouncer at a popular Dundalk nightspot, has had the charge dismissed at the district court.

Anthony Byrne, 31 Dundalk Road, Crossmaglen, denied punching the security man in the eye, during an incident alleged to have occurred in The Rum House, Park Street, on 10 September, 2016.

At the start of the hearing, it was pointed out no CCTV coverage was available.

Inspector Martin Beggy said investigating gardaí were told by the proprietors that it wasn’t working at the time in question.

At the conclusion of the case, Judge Coughlan criticised The Rum House for putting their own security staff in danger.

Peter Lynch gave evidence he was working on security that night, and at about 2.15am, a chap was dancing on top of a stool. There was another man on a chair.

He tipped this individual on the leg to get down.

‘I got a thump in the eyeball. I staggered back. He was still standing on the stool. Another doorman took him off the stool.’

Mr. Lynch continued the same fella who struck him in the eye, then ‘ battered me around the head.’

When his assailant was removed from the premises, witness continued he phoned the gar- daí. He had to get someone to type in the number for him as he couldn’t see properly.

Karl Murphy, who was also on duty, said he spotted man on top of a stool. He directed him to get down, but he looked away.

‘I was shocked at what happened. He struck Peter in the face.’

This person then jumped down, and a second fella got in between them all. Security staff split them up.

Niall Sweeney, another employee, testified he went to the back of the lounge and saw Peter holding a hand to his eye.

A man was being restrained by other security personnel. He took this person out by the back exit, then closed the gate, and the man headed up towards the main street.

Defence counsel, Irene Sands, submitted there was no evidence Anthony Byrne perpetrated this assault.

He was not described by any witness, and there is a complete gap in relation to that. Judge Coughlan dismissed the charge. ‘I’m fairly displeased with The Rum House. They feed this man alcohol all night. He’s quite inebriated.’

The judge added security staff should have been able to deal with any alleged assault.

‘It’s also disgraceful The Rum House put their own security staff in danger.’