A cyclist used a key to assault a Spanish tourist after a row over cycling on the footpath, a court has heard.
Karl Manning (41) of North Great Charles Street pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Gerard Parareda at Middle Abbey Street on August 25th, 2013.
He also admitted possession of an offensive weapon, a screwdriver, on the same occasion. He has eight previous convictions, all for minor offences and dating back to before 2006.
Judge Patricia Ryan imposed the Probation Act on Manning and discharged him on condition that he keeps the peace and is of good behaviour for the next six months. He will still have a criminal conviction.
Garda Tracey O’Reilly told Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting, that Manning had brushed off a woman in the company of the victim, causing one of their group to shout after him that he was an idiot and that he “can’t cycle on the footpath”.
Manning turned back and confronted the group of three people. He took a key out of his pocket and swung out, hitting Mr Parareda. The Spanish group then tried to prevent Manning from getting away but Manning took a screwdriver out of his pocket and began to hit the victim again.
The victim’s injuries included a small puncture wound to his cheek and scrapes and scratches to his back. He had made a full recovery.
Manning told gardaí he regretted using the screwdriver during the fight. He said he was carrying it to service his bike and had never intended to use it as a weapon.
He said he had initially gone back and apologised to the woman after cycling past her. He said the other man continued to abuse him and he swung out.
Keith Spencer BL, defending, said Manning’s business had recently closed down and he was finding it difficult to get back on his feet. Counsel said his client had suffered as a result of the stress of running the business.