Man who punched broadcaster Brendan Courtney to be sentenced later

By Eimear Dodd

A man who punched broadcaster Brendan Courtney several times voluntarily contacted gardai to tell him he had been involved in the assault, a court has heard.  

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Mr Courtney was walking home along the quays around 9.30pm on February 27, 2025, when he was beckoned over to a car stopped at traffic lights.

The court heard the front passenger appeared to roll down the window and call him over.

Mr Courtney went over thinking he knew the occupants of the car and later described to gardai that he believed they were ridiculing him.

He turned to leave, tapping on the window as he went.

The back seat passenger in the car, Ross Deegan (22), left the vehicle, then assaulted Mr Courtney along with a co-accused, who is also before the courts.

CCTV of the assault was played to the court.

Deegan ran at the injured party, then punched him.

He threw two further punches to the side of the injured party’s head.

The court heard that it is alleged that the co-accused also assaulted Mr Courtney, who was carrying shopping bags and pinned against a wall, throwing a number of punches and kicking him in the stomach.

Deegan then got back into the car, which drove away.

Ross Deegan of An Riasc, Finglas, Dublin 1l contacted gardai voluntarily on March 5, 2025, identifying his involvement in the assault.

Deegan came forward from the District Court on a signed guilty plea to assaulting Mr Courtney causing harm on February 27, 2025, at Usher’s Quay in Dublin city centre.

A cyclist stopped and helped Mr Courtney, who went into a nearby pub.

Nothing was said by the men during the incident and there was no suggestion the parties are known to each other, the court heard.

When gardai arrived, they noticed cuts to his ear, chin and back of his neck.

Garda Shane Monahan told David Perry BL, prosecuting, that Mr Courtney did not seek medical attention that night and went to hospital the following day after waking up in pain.

He sustained a concussion and a fracture of his eye socket.

A medical report and photos were provided to the court.

When interviewed by gardai, Deegan claimed it was self-defence.

He said that the injured party approached the car aggressively and struck the front passenger window with his fist.

Deegan said he perceived this as an attempt to hit his brother, who was in the front seat.

He said he got out of the car to defend himself and his brother and admitted punching the injured party three or four times.

No victim impact statement was provided to the court.

Deegan has no previous convictions and has not come to other garda attention.

Gda Monahan agreed with Oisin Clarke BL, defending, that the cyclist said in a statement that there had been a knock on the front passenger window.

It was further accepted that this case had received some media attention, that Deegan was co-operative, and that the assault appears random and not premediated.

The court heard that Deegan had brought €1,500 to court as a gesture of remorse. Gda Monahan said Mr Courtney does not wish to accept the money and suggested it should be donated to the Mater Hospital or a charity of the court’s choice.

Mr Clarke said this is an “utterly bizarre offence”, which does not really have an explanation.

Referring to the statement from the cyclist, Mr Clarke said the catalyst appeared to be a “bang of some description on the window” and that Deegan took umbrage.

Counsel said this was not an excuse for what happened and asked the court to take into account his client’s guilty plea, co-operation and youth at the time.

Two letters of apology, including one written to Mr Courtney, and letters of reference from family members were handed to the court.

Mr Clarke said these letters speak of a man who is “supportive and helpful to others”.

He said his client was supportive of his two sisters, who are gay. He noted that his client is adamant that he did not know who the injured party was.

Deegan has a consistent work history since leaving school, and his current employer is aware and willing to keep him on, counsel said, adding that his client had faced social odium due to media reporting of the case.

Mr Clarke asked the court to order a probation report to assess his client’s risk of re-offending and said his client is willing to engage in an anger management course.

He said his client earns €734 a week after tax and gives approximately €50 a week to his parents.

He said bank statements could be provided to the court outlining how the €1,500 gesture of remorse was accumulated.

Judge Martina Baxter said the court had concerns as Deegan behaved in “such a reprehensible fashion” on the night and has not come to other negative attention before or since.

Directing a probation report, Judge Baxter adjourned the case to July 22 next for finalisation and remanded Deegan on continuing bail.

She also directed that the €1,500 gesture of remorse should be given to gardai for transmission to the Mater Hospital.