Facebook post led to fight outside club that left man partially blinded

A MAN was left partially blind and lost three teeth after he was assaulted by a former schoolmate – over a Facebook post.

Electrician Francis Doherty, 22, confronted trainee electrictian Patrick Moss, 23, in the smoking area of a nightclub when they were told to leave by security.

Limerick Circuit Court heard something that was posted on Facebook ‘really upset Doherty and his just added to the bad blood between the two men’ when the incident took place outside the former Trinity Rooms nightclub in the city.

Defence counsel Anthony Sammon also told the court Doherty, from Cahir, Co. Tipperary, was ‘utterly remorseful’ for what had happened. Counsel for the State John O’Sullivan said Doherty was talking about an incident that had occurred between the two men in Cahir, some 18 months previously and Mr Moss, also from Tipperary, told him to stop. The court heard the last thing Mr Moss could remember was being punched in the face by Doherty outside the club.

He had three teeth knocked out during the assault, suffered cuts and bruises, a fractured elbow and an injury to his left eye that has resulted in loss of sight.

Yesterday, Doherty pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to assaulting Mr Moss causing him harm at Bank Place in 2011.

Detective Garda Ivan Muldoon accepted there had been ill feeling between the men since their school days together.

Judge Carroll Moran adjourned sentencing to October 18, saying Mr Moss should be consulted about an offer of €7,000 compensation made by Doherty.