A man has been jailed for a “vicious and disturbing” random assault on a 13-year-old boy outside Connolly Station in Dublin, reports Breaking News.
Stephen Barrett (23), of Gardner Street Lower, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on 30 April 2025 at Connolly Station, reports Breaking News.
The court heard Barrett picked up a steel pole and chased a group of youths after hearing alleged derogatory comments directed at his girlfriend, reports Breaking News.
He then caught and attacked the victim, who was not involved in the incident and was entirely innocent, the court heard, reports Breaking News.
The assault caused a deep scalp wound that left the boy’s skull visible. He lost consciousness and required 10 staples to his head, though there was no skull fracture, reports Breaking News.
In a victim impact statement, the boy’s mother said her son continues to suffer fear, anxiety and extreme distress, adding that he no longer feels safe and has since left school, reports Breaking News.
After the attack, Barrett returned to his girlfriend and continued on his journey.
The court heard Barrett has 44 previous convictions, mostly for theft, along with two prior assault offences.
Judge Martina Baxter described CCTV footage of the incident as “very distressing and alarming”, and said the attack was unprovoked, random and “vicious and disturbing”, reports Breaking News.
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She said the victim’s age, the severity of the injury and the public location of the attack were all aggravating factors.
The judge said Barrett’s expressions of remorse were accepted as genuine but noted his explanations had been repeated and did not excuse his actions.
She said the victim had no involvement in the earlier incident and Barrett’s justification “doesn’t excuse in any fashion” his behaviour, reports Breaking News.
Judge Baxter imposed a five-year prison sentence, suspending the final 18 months for two years on strict conditions.
Barrett was also ordered to undergo 18 months of post-release probation supervision, along with participation in a victim impact programme, drug counselling and mental health treatment.
The victim’s mother attended court for sentencing, and the judge extended her best wishes to both her and her son, reports Breaking News.
Gardaí previously agreed with defence counsel that Barrett had been travelling home with his pregnant girlfriend and a bicycle shortly before the incident.
It was accepted in court that CCTV showed interactions between Barrett, his partner and a group of youths, though there was no audio, reports Breaking News.
Defence counsel argued that Barrett believed a derogatory remark had been made to his girlfriend, after which he became aggressive.
The court also heard suggestions of mistaken identity, with counsel stating Barrett may have chased a youth wearing similar clothing to the victim, reports Breaking News.
However, it was accepted that the injured boy was not part of the group involved in the earlier interaction.
Barrett’s previous convictions were described as linked to long-term drug addiction, and the court heard he has engaged with addiction services and tested negative for hard drugs, though positive for cannabis.
He apologised in court, saying: “I’m very, very sorry for what I did… I wish I could take it back… I’m sorry, I wouldn’t want it to happen to my son”, reports Breaking News.
He added: “I got triggered… my anger got the better of me… I’ve tried my best to do what I can”, reports Breaking News.
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