Community service for horse handler who assaulted American tourist

By Declan Brennan

A city centre horse handler who assaulted an American tourist in a dispute over pricing has been ordered to perform community service.

The victim lost a tooth after Scott Clarke (24) of Dunard Road, Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin,  threw a vape at him, hitting him in the mouth. The attack took place outside the Guinness Storehouse on Market Street, Dublin 8 on February 19, 2023.

Clarke pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault. The maximum sentence for this offence is six months imprisonment.

In sentencing, Judge Martina Baxter said Clarke’s behaviour had been reprehensible and he had taken it upon himself to act in an egregious and aggressive fashion.

She said in throwing a hard object he had been reckless as to the safety of the injured party and others. She noted the victim’s injury is yet to fully resolve itself.

The judge observed the case had been adjourned to allow urine analysis to take place and she could now finalise matters as rehabilitation had commenced. She said his guilty plea had not been “the earliest of pleas” but noted he had worked all his life and helped his family.

Judge Baxter imposed a five-month sentence and ordered Clarke to carry out 150 hours community service in lieu of that term.

 In a victim impact statement read out in court, the man, who is in his 20s, said that after the attack he saw his tooth on the street. He said he feared for his life and that the incident marred what was supposed to be a joyful final holiday with his parents.

He said he has had to undergo dental surgery and continues to experience nerve pain. He has spent around US$5,000 on dental implants, the court heard.

At an earlier hearing Garda Greg Moroney testified that the victim and his family had earlier hired out a horse and carriage, though there was no evidence that this was linked to the defendant. He said a question arose about whether they had been charged the correct amount and they approached the horse handlers on Market st. to check this.

CCTV showed the victim’s mother first speaking to some of the horse handlers on the street before the victim approaches the sign displaying the charges.

The footage shows the victim taking the sign down and slamming it on the ground, leading to a short scuffle. The victim then began retreating from the men and that is when Clarke threw the vape at the victim, striking his face.

When gardai went to Clarke the next day he was co-operative, the court heard. His previous convictions include drug offences but none for violent offending.

Pieter Le Vert BL, defending, told the court his client is a full-time carer for his father, who is in the advanced stages of cancer. He said Clarke has worked all his life including as a painter and decorator.