Stephen Collard (47), with an address in Rathnew, County Wicklow, appeared at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to one count of assault causing harm.
Garda Seamus Breen of Greystones Garda Station gave evidence that on January 10, 2024, the victim was driving his car on Chapel Road in Greystones when he pulled in to take a call from his wife’s doctor.
Mr Collard beeped his horn before the complainant pulled in, but then turned back around and parked his van behind the victim.
The pair exchanged words before the accused punched the complainant four times. Counsel for the prosecution, James Kelly, noted that Mr Collard immediately apologised and left the scene.
Gda Breen said that when he interviewed Mr Collard, he claimed he was struck first and, when it was put to him that he caused the complainant several injuries, he denied it.
A report from Wexford General Hospital dated January 12 was handed into the court, which stated the injured party suffered a fractured cheekbone.
It was noted that the injured party’s wife died two months later, having been in hospital at the time of the assault. In a victim impact statement read to the court by prosecution counsel Mr Kelly, he thanked everyone who had helped him during that period.
Mr Collard has one previous conviction.
During cross-examination, counsel for Mr Collard, Justin McQuade, remarked that his client pleaded guilty at an early stage and has €4,000 in compensation. Gda Breen informed the court that he had canvassed the victim and he is willing to accept it.
In mitigation, the court was told that Mr Collard is working with a counsellor and has had a pro-social background, with him recently taking up running and going to the gym.
“He wants to give a very public apology, he is very ashamed of his actions,” said Mr McQuade.
A probation report before the court stated he is a low risk of reoffending and has shown good insight into his offending, displaying victim awareness.
In her judgment, Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin said the injured party could have pursued a civil action and “won major damages”.
She described the assault as “nasty” and outlined aggravating factors, including that the accused had turned his vehicle around to confront the victim and initially claimed the other man had thrown the first punch.
She also noted the injured party’s personal circumstances at the time, with his wife seriously ill.
The judge accepted the accused’s willingness to engage with rehabilitation and directed the preparation of a community service assessment, indicating she would consider imposing 150 hours of community service in lieu of a custodial sentence.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme