Teenager used ripped beer can as weapon

By Claire Henry

A teenager who ripped up a beer can and used it as a weapon when he was refused a cigarette by a man enjoying a drink in a beer garden has received a fully suspended sentence.

Sean O’Neill (19) of Carton Court, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to production of an article during an assault at Pearse Street, Dublin 2, on October 18, 2020.

The investigating garda told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that the date in October 2020, he responded to an incident outside Lombard’s pub on Pearse Street.

The court heard that O’Neill, along with a co-accused, approached two men sitting in the smoking area outside Lombard’s pub. O’Neill asked the two men for a cigarette and was refused one.

The court heard that he then proceeded to empty the alcohol from his beer can and tear the can up.

CCTV footage obtained by the gardaí from the pub showed O’Neill lunge forward and cut one of the two men above the eye with the can.

The Garda told the court that O’Neill was very drunk at the time of the assault, had trouble walking, and fell to the ground numerous times.

Judge Martin Nolan stated this was a disgraceful incident for the accused to become so aggressive when he was not given a cigarette.

He sentenced O’Neill to nine months imprisonment, but suspended it in full under strict conditions.