GAA star claims his life is ‘ ruined’ after thug bites off part of his ear in nightclub
Peacemaker reveals impact of New Year’s Eve horror attack
A YOUNG GAA star who had part of his ear bitten off as he tried to break up a fight has told how his life has been “ruined” after the incident.
Peacemaker Philip Mcnern was enjoying a night out with pals at Sky Nightclub i n Co Donegal on December 31, 2017.
Brandon Mcclay, his attacker, appeared at Donegal Circuit Court, where he pleaded guilty to a Section 3 assault.
On the night in question a scuf f l e broke out near t he victim and a man came over to him, leaned into him and then bit a chunk off his ear.
Mr Mcnern , who was a member of the Donegal Under 18 squad at the time, had to undergo emergency treatment at Galway University Hospital.
Despite three operations, the part of the ear bitten off could not be reattached.
Mcclay, 23, was arrested on February 16, 2018.
Although the Mr Mcnern was not in court, he presented a victim impact statement.
He said he continued to have f lashbacks and could not sleep after he watched a doctor throw a piece of his ear in a bin at Sligo
University Hospital . He told how sport was his life, especially GAA, but had to wear a “scrummage- cap” when playing and everyone looked at him.
He struggled wearing PPE when Covid came in and children pointed at him because of his disfigured ear.
Mr Mcnern sai d: “I kept thinking it was my fault and now I have to live with it for the rest of my life without the top of my ear.
“If I have children, I ’ ll have to make up a story and tell them why I lost the top of my ear.”
Barrister f or Mcclay, Des Dockery, SC, said this was a “s p o n t a n e o u s a c t of p u r e madness and utter stupidity ” but stressed that it was not premeditated.
He added his client offered a full apology.
Mr Docker y sai d despit e Covid, Mcclay had managed to save some money, € 3,700, by working i n his father’s f i shprocessing business.
He said this was a token as it was all he could save but further compensation could be offered.
Judge John Aylmer adjourned it until next week for sentence.