A heroin addict who head butted a 14-year-old Canadian tourist who refused to hand over money on demand has been jailed for four years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Joseph Boyle (20), Buttercup Park, Darndale, Coolock, pleaded guilty to the assault and attempted robbery of the boy on Eden Quay on March 11th last year.
The court had heard the boy did not have any money when he was approached by Boyle and was on his way to withdraw some so he could go to an amusement arcade. Boyle head butted him in the face, punched him and kicked him when he couldn't had over money to him.
Boyle also pleaded guilty to robbery of a mobile phone valued €150 from a man in the vicinity of O'Connell St on April 9th last year.
Judge Frank O'Donnell said Boyle blamed his actions on his heroin addiction and almost seemed to suggest it was his right to commit the offences. He had been given many opportunities in the past but had made no effort to address his addiction or use treatment
The court had heard the boy was in Ireland with his father who was on a business trip and they were staying in a hotel on Eden Quay.
The victim went to the garda station on O'Connell St after being attacked nad was taken to hospital. Although gardaí noticed bruising to his face when he entered the station, he did not sustain any serious injuries.
He went out in a patrol car with gardaí the following day and was able to point out Boyle who was hanging around in the same area.
The court also heard Boyle was one of a group of four men who hit a man on the head with a stick and stole his phone. The victim had just got off a bus and had been talking on his phone as he walked down the street. He was hit on the head when he put his phone back in his pocket.