MAN JAILED FOR ‘BRUTAL’ ATTACK
GLASSED ANOTHER MAN IN THE FACE IN WEST WICKLOW PUB
A man who glassed someone in the face in an ‘vicious, violent and brutal assault’ in a west Wicklow pub was given a jail term at Wicklow Circuit Court last week.
Michael Thackaberry (33) of 72 Church Hill, Dunlavin, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and to the production of an article at Garrett’s Bar in Dunlavin on April 6, 2016.
The injured party was Tony Allen, a man in his 60s. Both men live and work in and around the village of Dunlavin.
State prosecutor James Kelly told the court that the two men would know each other. Garda Brian O’Sullivan agreed that Thackaberry was employed by Mr Allen at one time. They parted company due to Thackaberry’s behaviour outside of work.
On the day of the assault, Mr Allen was seated at the bar in the Dunlavin pub when Thackaberry came in. Mr Allen saw him coming at him with his fist and leaned towards the bar. Thackaberry struck him and caught the back of his neck on the right side.
The lady behind the bar came out to push him away, as did another man in the pub. Thackaberry was put out of the pub. He was in an excited state and threatened to kneecap Mr Allen.
A few minutes later, Thackaberry came back in. He came behind him and put his hand around the left side of Mr Allen’s face and pulled back across his cheek.
Mr Allen felt blood trickling down his face and Thackaberry said ‘your blood is on my hands now.’
A piece of glass used by the defendant was subsequently found at the scene. Gardaí believe it came from a pint bottle.
Thackaberry was arrested and interviewed at Baltinglass Garda Station by Garda O’Sullivan and a colleague.
Thackaberry’s responses were somewhat inconclusive, short, and neither denials nor admissions.
The court heard that Thackaberry had 81 previous convictions, including the assault of a police officer.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Allen said that since the incident, he has been in fear that harm would come to him. He said that he fears trouble if Thackaberry returns to Dunlavin.
He still has a scar on his face.
Barrister for the defence said that Thackaberry’s sister had died that day and he had been drinking heavily. Thackaberry told the court he had consumed some pints, and a litre of Bacardi.
‘I don’t feel the need to consume such amounts in the future,’ Thackaberry told the court. ‘I have no retribution against Tony Allen and no grudge. I apologise emphatically.
‘It’s been tough in prison and it’s a place I never want to go back to.’
He said that he would give an undertaking to stay away from Mr Allen and not to hurt him, and to stay on his medication.
Judge Michael O’Shea said that if someone takes a piece of glass, goes and attacks a person and cuts their face, ‘ the only intention or purpose is to inflict harm, to inflict injury. He knew what he was doing.’
He said that Mr Allen is understandably concerned should his attacker ever return to Dunlavin.
‘ This was a vicious, violent and brutal assault,’ said the judge. ‘He has a visible scar on his cheek which he should not have, and which is due to the behaviour of Michael Thackaberry.’
He sentenced Thackaberry to four years in prison with the final year suspended. The court heard that Thackaberry has been in custody for 20 months and his sentence will be backdated.