Man smashed glass into stranger’s face in 'unprovoked attack' in the Midlands

A man admitted smashing a pint glass in a stranger’s face in Portlaoise. 

James Rickard, 22, of 21 Carrick Hill, Portlaoise admitted assaulting a man at Top Square, Portlaoise on August 20, 2022.  

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said gardai responded to reports of a male being struck in the head with a pint glass at 9.10pm on the date in question. 

He said the defendant was identified and arrested. He said the injured party needed stitches. The defendant had four previous convictions, said Sgt Kirby. 

Solicitor Joesphine Fitzpatrick said her client was drinking and relying on other substances at the time of the offence. She said he was “truly sorry” for what had happened. 

“The victim in this matter was going about his business on the night,” she said. 

She said her client had since gone into residential treatment and engaged in addiction services. He had been homeless for a while, she said.

“Mr Rickard has turned his life inside out since that day,” she said.   

She described it as “very, very unfortunate that the injured party had to encounter Mr Rickard when he wasn’t in good shape.” She said he had brought the sum of €1,000 to court. 

Judge Andrew Cody noted the injured party didn’t want his victim impact statement read out in court. 

“This is a completely unprovoked attack on a complete stranger who had nothing to do with Mr Rickard,” said Judge Cody. 

“Smashing a pint glass into his face, leaving him with permanent scars,” he said. 

He ordered the €1,000 to be handed over for the injured party and he requested a further €4,000 for the next court date. 

Judge Cody adjourned the matter to September 5 and said €4,000 would need to be in court for there to be any hope of the defendant avoiding a jail sentence.