Female shop manager was punched in the face
By Brendan Grehan
A BALLYFERMOT MAN (27) with psychiatric problems, who punched a female shop manager in Mr Price in Ballyfermot, has been sentenced to three months jail, suspended for two years by Blanchardstown District Court.
Sentencing John Wall, Judge David McHugh said the victim-impact statement given by Wall’s victim, Megan Meehan, had “left some impression on the court”.
Blanchardstown District Court
Ms Meehan had told the court that the incident had been “nerve-wracking” and had caused her to leave her job.
Wall, with an address at Croftwood Crescent, Ballyfermot, had pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Meehan causing her harm at Mr Price, Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot, on January 29, 2019.
The court had heard that at 2.15pm on January 29 last, the gardai were called to Mr Price. Officers spoke to Ms Meehan, who said she had been assaulted by a man who was barred from the shop.
Ms Meehan said she had tried to get him to leave but Wall refused, punching her multiple times to the face and pushing her into one of the product aisles.
There was a scuffle, and before he left Wall picked up mugs and threw them at her, with one of them striking her in the chest, she told gardai.
CCTV showed the accused entering the shop and the victim being struck in the face, then thrown into the product aisle
The footage also showed Wall picking up a mug and throwing it at her, the court had heard.
In September Ms Meehan had given her victim-impact statement in court.
She had told Judge McHugh: “I was out of work for over a week. I suffered a lot of injuries and brusing to my arm and chest. I found the incident nerve-wracking and I found it difficult to go back to work. I have since left that job.”
Wall had paid Ms Meehan €500 compensation.
The court had heard that Wall has a number of psychiatric problems and was admitted to Tallaght Hospital after the incident.
Judge McHugh had read a Psychiatric Report on Wall supplied by Wall’s solicitor, Simon Fleming. The judge
had noted that Wall is on “a cocktail
of drugs” and has suicidal
ideation.
Wall was before Judge McHugh for sentencing.
Mr Fleming said Wall was in court with his father. He said Wall had been attending meetings with the Probation Service since the last date.
Sergeant Maria Callaghan said Wall had seven previous convictions. At Blanchardstown District Court on January 16, 2014, he had been fined for theft and she added that he had convictions for road traffic matters from 2013.
Mr Fleming told Judge McHugh that his client had pleaded guilty on July 22 last.
Judge McHugh told Mr Fleming that the court was aware that Wall has Psychological and Psychiatric difficulties but “unfortunately his wrongdoing has led him into the public realm and he assaulted an innocent third-party.”
Mr Fleming said Wall had “received significant treatment after the incident” and had paid €500 compensation.
Judge McHugh told Mr Fleming: “I’m sure his father paid the compensation.”
He added: “I want the victim to be represented at the centre of proceedings. Under the new legislation and the Victim Impact Directive her views have to be represented. She left an impresson on the court.”
Mr Flemings said Wall is “a very isolated young man who will need to be cared for for the rest of his life.”
Judge McHugh told Mr Fleming: “While I respect what you have said. As we go forward I would be concerned that there would be some repeat of this.”
Mr Fleming asked the judge to impose a suspended sentence.
Judge McHugh sentenced Wall to three months imprisonment, suspended for two years on condition that Wall attend meetings with the Probation Service, that he engage with the Mental Health Services and that he engage in offence focus work with the Probation Service.
