A Brazilian man who struck another man with a skateboard outside a chipper, causing a fractured skull and a brain bleed, has been sentenced to two years in prison.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Aquila Batista (33), of no fixed address in Dublin, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm near Parnell Street, Dublin, on September 2nd, 2022, reports Breaking News.
He has no prior convictions and had not come to the attention of the gardaí before this incident.
Passing sentence on Thursday, Judge Martin Nolan noted that the defendant initially left the scene but returned shortly after with a skateboard and struck the victim with it, reports Breaking News.
The judge said this caused a serious wound, and the injured man was taken to hospital for treatment, also suffering a fractured skull and a minor brain bleed.
Judge Nolan added that the victim has physically recovered but the attack impacted his confidence and mental health, reports Breaking News.
The judge said, “What motivated this defendant seems to have been some form of revenge or bad temper,”
He cited mitigating factors including Batista’s guilty plea, cooperation, lack of previous convictions, and solid work history, reports Breaking News.
Judge Nolan said it was obvious that hitting someone on the head with a skateboard would cause serious injury.
He noted the victim has a permanent scar and sentenced Batista to two years in prison. He concluded, “When you attack someone in a vicious way with a weapon, you have to endure a custodial term,” reports Breaking News.
Prosecutor Mr Marc Murphy BL told the court that on the night of September 1st, 2022, the victim, his girlfriend, and three friends were socialising in Dublin.
At around 2:30am, the group went to a nearby chipper, waiting outside while the victim’s girlfriend went inside, reports Breaking News.
Batista was inside the chipper attempting to chat with the woman, and as she left, he tried to touch her but she pushed him away.
The court heard that a verbal dispute followed between Batista and the victim, after which Batista left the scene, reports Breaking News.
He returned shortly on his skateboard and struck the victim on the top of the head.
The injured man was taken to the Mater Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a skull fracture and a minor brain bleed, reports Breaking News.
The victim underwent reconstructive surgery and now has a permanent facial scar. Batista stayed at the scene and also received treatment for minor cuts.
He was arrested and interviewed, claiming self-defence, denying hitting the man with the skateboard, and saying he only pushed him to the ground, reports Breaking News.
The court heard the victim has since moved out of Dublin and physically recovered. He chose not to provide a victim impact statement.
Batista’s defence counsel said he remained at the scene and also needed medical attention. Batista, originally from Brazil, came to Ireland in 2017 to study English and has no prior convictions, reports Breaking News.
Counsel added that Batista has no family in Ireland and struggles to find work. He brought €2,500 to court as a token of remorse.
The court heard: “It seems very out of character” for Batista, who wishes to apologise to the injured party, reports Breaking News.
Defence counsel asked the court to consider his client’s guilty plea and urged for leniency.
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