Homeless man ‘launched attack’ on friend at Limerick hostel

A  HOMELESS man who assaulted a resident at a hostel in the city has been sentenced to two months’ imprisonment

David Griffin, aged 40, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act relating to an incident at McGarry House, Alphonsus Street, just before Christmas.

The victim, who sustained a number of cuts and facial injuries, was discovered by members of staff on the floor of Mr Griffin’s room at around 9.30am on December 20, last.

Limerick District Court was told the defendant was asleep and covered in blood when gardai entered the room having been alerted.

Gardai, who woke Mr Griffin, also observed a considerable amount of blood “all over the apartment”.

Solicitor John Herbert said his client was friends with the victim and that they had been drinking together the previous evening and had regularly travelled around the country together in the past.

He said Mr Griffin, who is in receipt of disability allowance, has no recollection of what happened but accepts he “launched an attack” when he returned to his room.

“He is ashamed of himself, he let himself down,” he said adding he lost his accommodation at McGarry House and is facing the prospect of being returned to the homeless system.

Mr Herbert said his client had no explanation for what happened and he suggested a sleeping tablet he took may have interacted with the alcohol.

After being informed the victim had declined the opportunity to draft a victim impact statement, Judge Mary Larkin commented the defendant should “know better”.

She accepted he has an addiction to alcohol and suggested that he is “well and truly sober by now” given the fact he has been in custody since his arrest.

The judge imposed a two month prison sentence which she back-dated to the date of his arrest,

Mr Griffin was also ordered to engage with the Probation Service and to complete a alcohol and drug awareness programme.