A man who attacked a 13-year-old boy at a family christening punching, kicking and banging the child's head off the ground may be ordered to pay compensation by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Robert Douche (27) of Alderwood Green, Tallaght pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the boy at Sundale Villas, Tallaght, on February 13, 2005.
Judge Michael White said to Douche: "I hope you are ashamed of yourself" and suggested he would order him to pay compensation.
Garda David Jennings told Melanie Greally BL, prosecuting, that the boy was attending a family christening celebration where a large amount of alcohol had been taken. A fight started between two men and the boy said he was going to call gardaí.
Douche, then 25, intervened, saying: "Why are you ringing the guards you little bastard" and punched the child, who fell to the ground.
Douche jumped on the child, kicked him, grabbed him by the hair and banged his head off the ground. The boy suffered bruising to his face, neck and back and has a permanent lump above his left eye.
The judge heard the boy is now more fearful for his personal safety but the families involved have since "made amends".
Kieran Kelly BL, defending, said Douche had no previous conviction and had apologised to the boy. Mr Kelly said the victim had expressed a wish that Douche does not go to jail. Mr Kelly said Douche's brother had recently died in custody and that he had been badly affected by the loss.
The judge adjourned finalisation of the case to a date next month and asked counsel to consult with the victim's family in relation to compensation.