A teenager was ordered to pay a total of €6,000 in compensation to a former bouncer who suffered lacerations and hearing loss when a pint glass was throw at his face, the Galway District Court heard this week.
Nineteen-year-old Enda Lynch with an address at Moneyteige, Claregalway, was summoned to appear in court last Monday where he pleaded guilty to assault of Seamus Clancy causing him harm at Route 66 night club at Main Street, Oranmore, on December 27, 2007.
Inspector Ernie White told the court that at 1am doormen at Route 66 had ejected a man from the night club and that his friend, the defendant, had followed him outside. As his friend was attempting to get back into the club Lynch threw a glass hitting one of the bouncers in the face. He then ran away but had been spotted on CCTV footage and arrested a short time later.
Mr Clancy, who was a member of security at Route 66 at the time, explained that it had been a pint glass which had hit him in the face. He said that the glass had “shattered” causing lacerations and a swollen eardrum. He added that although he did not need stitches he did suffer from a loss of hearing for a number of weeks but had now recovered.
Defence solicitor Olivia Traynor said that her client who has had difficulties in the past was willing to pay compensation given the seriousness of the case. She said that Lynch, who is in full time employment and the father of one child, had €3,000 in court.
Judge Fahy then asked Mr Clancy if he would be willing to accept compensation reminding him that he was entitled to take civil action against the defendant. “This is a very very serious matter as your hearing is something which has to be checked and re-checked over a period,” she warned.
Mr Clancy accepted the offer of compensation. Judge Fahy ordered that the €3,000 be immediately handed over to gardai and adjourned the matter to April 6, 2009, for a further €3,000 compensation to be paid. If the full compensation is paid Lynch will then receive nine months detention suspended for 12 months.
