Two men charged with attacking a library assistant in Dublin's Grafton Street in 2003 have pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault causing harm.
Stephen Nugent (23), of St Werburgh's, Swords, a tennis coach, and Dermot Cooper (28), of Fosterbrook, Stillorgan, a student, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Mr Barry Duggan on April 13th, 2003.
It was the fifth day the trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Mr Duggan (37) was admitted to A&E in St James's Hospital with a severe head injury, which led to bleeding within and around his brain. He also suffered bruising to his brain and a fracture to his skull, eye socket and cheekbone.
He spent two weeks in intensive care before he was transferred to the orthopaedic unit.
He was discharged from hospital on May 8th, 2003, but was under the care of a speech therapist, an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist until October 23rd, 2003.
Judge McDonagh told the jury that as Cooper and Nugent have now pleaded guilty, its service was no longer required. He discharged the jury and thanked the members for their time, before he invited them to stay in court if they wished to witness how the case would progress.
Mr Michael O’Higgins SC, defending Cooper, apologised on his client’s behalf for the injuries caused to Mr Duggan and his conduct on the night, particularly for fleeing the scene.
Mr Patrick Gageby SC, defending Mr Nugent, told Judge McDonagh that this was a complicated case and he asked for time, before sentencing, as he had a number of character references to gather for his client.
Judge McDonagh remanded Nugent and Cooper on continuing bail for sentence on July 25th and ordered the preparation of a victim impact report.