'powder keg' Homeless hostel resident spared jail after 'nasty' attack on his roommate

A homeless hostel resident has been spared jail and a recorded conviction for a "nasty" attack on his roommate.

Paul Behan, 47, of Amiens St, Dublin 1, punched the man as he lay on his bed and continued attacking him, resulting in a brief loss of consciousness.

Last month, the father of one pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to assault causing harm on March 13, 2020 but got a strike-out on Thursday after he paid €300 compensation.

Behan stayed at a Simon Community hostel on Harcourt Street in the city.

Gardai observed that the victim, 52, was injured and had an "open wound" with a bloody right eye.

The injured man stated he had been lying on his bed when he was punched to his head.

He went downstairs to report it but was kicked in the head.

He lost consciousness briefly and had bruises over his left ear and a cut over his right eye, caused by various punches and kicks to the head area.

Behan fled before gardai arrived, but Garda Natasha Reid arrested him six days later.

The injured man did not want to provide a victim impact statement.

Defence solicitor Michelle Gildernew acknowledged that it was a "nasty" incident.

Behan and the victim shared a tiny room, and "it was something of a "powder keg situation of grown men in a confined space".

She told the court it led to difficulties, and Behan had a grievance.

The court also heard he had a cannabis problem and was "in and out of hostels for the past few years".

He worked all his adult life and was in England for 17 years. But returning to Ireland five years ago after a relationship breakdown, he could not find work or somewhere to live.

 

The court heard he is doing better now and has quit cannabis.

The solicitor said he could pay some compensation but was in straitened circumstances.

In December, Judge John Lindsay indicated he would strike out the case if Behan brought €300 to court for the victim in January. Otherwise, he would be convicted and fined on top of paying compensation.

The court heard on Thursday that Behan had complied.