Doctor who was attacked while celebrating exams was fearful for months, court hears

By Niamh O’Donoghue

A doctor who was attacked while out celebrating in the capital after his medical exams said he was fearful walking around Dublin city centre for months after.

Judge Orla Crowe called it “a vicious, unprovoked attack” on a foreign national who has “come to our country and contributed significantly to our health service”.

Sean Howard (38) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery on Dame Street on April 13, 2024.

Howard, of The Spire Hostel, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, has 151 previous convictions for theft, burglary, criminal damage, as well as drug and road traffic offences.

The judge noted the maximum penalty for the offence was life imprisonment and set a headline sentence of six years, which she reduced to four and a half years with the final six months suspended. She backdated it to April 13, 2024 for time spent in custody.

Garda Conor Dineen of Pearse Street Garda Station was on patrol on Dame Street at 5.25am when he said he saw a number of males leaning into the pockets of the injured party.

Howard attempted to flee but was arrested at the scene and taken to Pearse Street Garda Station where he made admissions and identified himself on CCTV.

The CCTV which was shown to the court was described by the judge as “chilling”, adding that the accused had played “a very active role” in the robbery.

Gda Dineen told Neal Flynn BL, prosecuting, that the injured party made a victim impact statement but did not come to court as he had to go to work.

He had a swollen eye, pain in his back, and pain in his knee from the attack and had to spend a night in hospital. The doctor had to take a taxi to work for two weeks because he could not take public transport as he usually did.

In his victim impact statement, read by counsel, he said, “I was fearful walking around the city centre for months after that.”

In mitigation, Rebecca Smith BL, defending, said: “Mr Howard has asked me to convey his utmost apologies for his behaviour on the night.”

Counsel said Howard intervened after a woman said the injured party had assaulted her. Ms Smith said he became involved because he heard something had occurred, which hadn’t occurred.

He asked counsel to apologise for his behaviour.

“He is extremely embarrassed and remorseful.”

Judge Crowe said he was part of a joint enterprise and pleaded guilty to the robbery.

She said it was “an aggravated, unprovoked attack”, which left the injured party with physical and psychological effects.

The judge noted Howard gave four stamps and seven kicks to the head area of the injured party and was apprehended immediately.

He made admissions “where he was caught red-handed at the scene.”

The assault he administered was “brutal” and “needless” on the “entirely innocent” man who is a doctor and is “contributing significantly by working in our health service.”

Judge Crowe said “on the say so of a woman”, Howard “got involved in other people’s business.”

She said there was “a real risk” he will fall back into offending if he did not have a structured sentence. She suspended the final six months for a period of two years.