A teacher has told how his life was "destroyed" by thugs who left him for dead after he stopped them trying to hijack his car on the day he was holding a party for his son's first birthday.
Edward Patrick Fanning told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court he woke up in hospital "6½ weeks later not knowing where I was or what happened to me" as a result of being savagely attacked outside his home at Castlecurragh Vale by seven males whom he said had "captured and terrorised a lovely estate".
Mr Fanning (28), from Gorey, Co Wexford, had undergone brain surgery to relieve a life- threatening blood clot, had surgery on his left elbow and his chin was broken in two places among other injuries.
"My whole life has been changed completely and destroyed by these people," he told Judge Michael White.
Christopher Gleeson (20), Corduff Green, Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Mr Fanning on October 18th, 2003. He was remanded on continuing bail for sentence later.
Mr Fanning told the court that a priest was called to his hospital bed and his parents were asked if he had ever spoken about organ donation. "Luckily, I survived," he said.
Seven people did this to me and seven files were sent forward by the Garda but only two people were charged, he said.
His sense of security was now ruined and he was forced through intimidation to sell "a lovely house in a lovely estate and now I live in rented accommodation".
"When are we going to call a spade a spade. When is the punishment going to fit the crime. I could have died there on the road. I could have left my son fatherless," Mr Fanning said.
Sgt Brian Gill told Fergal Foley, prosecuting, that Mr Fanning answered a knock to his door at about 10pm on October 18th, 2003, to find a gang trying to break into his car.
He attempted to chase them away but was attacked by the gang who left him unconscious on the road.