Business man given fully suspended sentence for punching man outside Limerick nightclub

A LIMERICK real estate business man who has made a life for himself in Australia avoided a jail sentence for assaulting a man outside Mission Nightclub in Newcastle West in 2013. 

Tony O’Doherty, 35, formerly of Churchtown Newcastle West, was brought before Judge Colin Daly, on foot of a bench warrant.  

Limerick Circuit Court heard that Mr O’Doherty followed a man who was removed from the now defunct Club Mission nightclub on February 18, 2013. It was detailed that O’Doherty followed the man out onto the street and hit him. 

The victim of the assault fell to the ground, unconscious. An ambulance was called for the man and he was brought to University Hospital Limerick. 

In his summation of the evidence, Judge Colin Daly said that the victim of the assault suffered a brain bleed, and missed five weeks of work due to the incident. 

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The incident was captured on CCTV and was presented to the accused. At first Mr O’Doherty told gardaí that the hit was in self-defence. However, upon viewing the CCTV footage of the incident, he conceded that the punch was pre-emptive. 

Mr Doherty said that his recollection of the incident was a bit hazy and admitted that he had been drinking the night of the assault. 

Judge Daly said “a single blow can have serious consequences” and that the injury was “serious”.

The victim said in an impact statement that he suffered psychological trauma from the incident and that he still suffers from headaches after the attack. 

Previously Mr O’Dotherty paid a €10,000 bond to the court to ensure his appearance. This money has been offered as compensation to the victim, which he has since accepted. 

The court heard that Mr O’Doherty has a business in Australia with 65 employees and that the man often has to go to the United States on business.

Judge Daly said that a criminal conviction will affect his record, and will limit his travel to the USA on behalf of his business. 

In mitigation, Judge Daly said that Mr O’Doherty has no previous criminal record, and is of good character. 

In his sentencing, Judge Colin Daly said he would take the “extraordinary step” of fully suspending Tony O’Doherty’s two year sentence.