A man who spent six days in hospital and received 23 stitches in his hand after he was allegedly assaulted by staff in a pub began an action for damages in the High Court yesterday.
Mr Anthony Malone (28), a window-cleaner of Woodvale Avenue, Clonsilla, Dublin is suing Comprehensive Properties Limited trading as The Jolly Beggerman pub, Collins Avenue, Dublin, as a result of an alleged assault in the premises at the end of a 21st birthday party on December 5th, 1991.
He is seeking damages arising out of alleged assault by the defendants, their servants or agents.
The defendants say that if the plaintiff suffered injury, it was not caused by or occasioned by any act or omission on their part. They also deny that four servants or agents assaulted the plaintiff. Mr Patrick J Geraghty SC said Mr Malone was 21 at the time of the incident and was claiming damages for assault and negligence.
At The Jolly Beggarman, a barman twice removed Mr Malone's pint without saying anything to the plaintiff, counsel said. When his client went to retrieve the drink a second time, he was grabbed from behind, dragged down stairs, kicked and pushed out onto the pavement.
As he struggled to get free, he put his hand through a glass door, sustaining very serious injuries. As a result of the assault his client now had an impaired grip.
The hearing continues.