Thug chased his victim with broken bottle

Sentencing him in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, Judge Elma Sheahan said McKeever had demonstrated an 'abhorrent' degree of violence. Stock Image

A man who assaulted two St Patrick's Day volunteers in an unprovoked attack has been jailed for six years, with the final 12 months suspended.

Dean McKeever (19) also assaulted a man with a broken bottle after chasing him through the Jervis Street shopping centre in Dublin while on bail for the St Patrick's Day offence.

McKeever, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm on March 17 last year and one count of assault causing harm and one count of producing a weapon at the Jervis Centre on November 19 last year.

Sentencing him in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, Judge Elma Sheahan said McKeever had demonstrated an "abhorrent" degree of violence.

The court heard two men who had volunteered at the St Patrick's Day festivities were at Belgard Square Luas stop in Tallaght on March 17 last year when they were set upon by McKeever and another man.

The victims were kicked to the head while they were defenceless, Judge Sheahan said.

One of the victims suffered a fractured skull, while the other sustained a broken cheekbone.

Judge Sheahan noted that McKeever was at a high risk of re-offending and sentenced him to six years in jail, suspending the final 12 months.

Irish Independent