A Dublin man who threw a bottle at a fire-fighter on his way to an emergency, causing him severe facial injuries, may escape jail if he offers more compensation and stays out of trouble.
Darren Lindsay (22) of Spencer Dock, Ringsend was standing on the street in Fairview on the day of a Robbie Williams concert in Croke Park in June 2006 when he threw an unopened beer bottle through the window of the Dublin Fire Brigade vehicle going to a fire in Clontarf.
The bottle struck Jonathan Forbes causing him cuts requiring 35 stitches, a chipped bone and severe bruising.
Lindsay was later identified through CCTV footage and arrested. He admitted throwing the bottle but said he didn't intend to hit anyone. He said he had been drinking for four or five hours and had drank ten beers.
"It was a mistake, I was drunk. I just want to say sorry to the fireman," he told gardai.
He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting Mr Forbes. He had 18 previous convictions, including stealing a car and public order offences
Lindsay's defence counsel offered €10,000 to Mr Forbes on his client's behalf "as a token of his remorse". Mr Forbes refused to accept the money.
Judge Desmond Hogan adjourned sentencing and ordered a probation report. He said he was "not making any promises" but said if Lindsay produced additional compensation "it will be of some persuasion as to whether the court will go down the road of a custodial sentence".
Judge Hogan said Lindsay should increase the compensation offered without taking away from Mr Forbes' right to a civil recourse. He also ordered Lindsay to make himself known to a community service programme.