Ardara man in court for vicious dancefloor assaults

An Ardara man who viciously attacked two strangers in an unprovoked attack on a dancefloor has appeared in court.

Eunan Maguire assaulted friends Aaron Pearson and Aaron Bradley at Sky Nightclub in Donegal Town in the early hours of March 10, 2019.

Maguire, now aged 25, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the men when he appeared at Donegal Circuit Court.

CCTV footage of the double assault showed the construction worker from Glenview, Ardara knocking both men to the ground with two single punches.

The pair had to receive hospital treatment for their injuries in the aftermath of the attacks.

Medical reports on the damage suffered by both victims were read out in court.

Mr Bradley received an upper cut from the accused and has a scar on his chin from where he was cut having had to receive several stitches.

Mr Pearson suffered a fractured jaw as a result of the punch from Maguire and had to have a metal plate and screws fitted into his jaw. Mr Pearson still finds it difficult to eat.

Maguire, who was and continues to live in London, was contacted by Gardai after CCTV was viewed and he admitted to being involved in the incident and indicated he wanted to sort it out.

The court heard how on the night in question Maguire had taken cocaine and a considerable amount of alcohol.

His barrister, Mr Sean McGee, told how his client had come from a steady home and was supported in court by his mother although his father had passed away in 2020.

However, the death of his older brother Tomas in a car accident in Australia when the accused was just sixteen had had a ‘profound’ effect on him.

Unlike his siblings, Eunan had not undergone grievance counselling but had instead taken to alcohol to cope with his brother's loss.

Mr McGee said this period lasted for several years until his early 20s as he ‘lost his way in life’.

Mr McGee said that through the support of his family and his partner, whom he hopes to marry, he no longer takes drugs and only drinks occasionally.

"He described this incident as a real wake-up call for him," said McGee who stressed that his client was extremely remorseful and apologetic.

He added that when he viewed the CCTV footage of the incident and heard of the injuries to the men, his ‘behaviour had sickened him’.

He contacted Mr Pearson by Facebook message apologising and asking if they could ‘sort it out’.

Two references, one from Ardara GAA club and one from his employer, were handed into court.

Mr McGee said that his solicitor, Mr Frank Dorrian, had been put in funds of €20,000, to offer to the men as a token gesture for his wrongdoing.

Garda Claire Ramsay said that both men had prepared victim impact statements but could not make it to court because of work commitments.

Aaron Bradley said he suffered a ‘horrendous attack’ which had changed his life forever.

Mr Bradley said: "This has been mentally, physically and financially draining. Medical bills, medication and prescription expenses, loss of wages for two months, on returning to work I was very limited to what I could carry out."

He said he had to undergo an operation to get plates and screws fitted into his jaw and that he finds it difficult to eat. Mr Bradley told how he still experiences a lot of pain and numbness, especially in the cold weather.

Mr Bradley added that his life will never be the same again after the unprovoked attack.

He said: "I have experienced lifestyle changes, my parents and family also suffered a lot of anxiety during this time.

“I have suffered from the feeling of isolation, depression and overall negative impact on the quality of my life. I suffer from fear, anxiety, shock and the feeling of being unsafe when I am out with my friends and on most occasions I have to come home early."

Aaron Pearson said he had been an outgoing, confident and sociable person who had never been involved in any altercation.

He said the psychological impact of the assault has had longer lasting effects on his mental health.

He said: "I find myself suffering from anxiety, flashbacks, and no longer feel comfortable in large crowds. I no longer feel safe in nightclubs so my social life has suffered.

"It is frightening to me to think that there are people out there who think it is ok to strike you because they find violence exhilarating. The scar on my face is a constant reminder of that night and I am very conscious of it. I feel when other people look at me, they are passing judgement on my character and my confidence is undermined.

"The scar itself is sensitive and shaving around it is uncomfortable and time consuming. I have grown a beard to cover it, a look which I don't particularly like."

Having heard all the evidence, pleas, victim impact statements and submissions, Judge John Aylmer said he was adjourning the case until next week to consider his sentence.