A judge has sentenced a man who carried out a “completely unprovoked attack” on a security officer to two-and-a-half years in prison.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Brandon Brooks (25), formally of Deerpark Avenue, Kiltipper, Tallaght, Dublin 24, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Sean Owens at Buzz nightclub, Red Cow Moran Hotel on November 9th, 2019.
Passing sentence on Friday, Judge Orla Crowe said the injured party was doing his “job trying to keep patrons safe” when a “completely unprovoked attack by a mob, which included the accused, took place”.
Judge Crowe said the injuries to the security officer were “most serious.” She said that the victim impact statement is “harrowing”.
The judge said the accused has 49 previous convictions, some of which are relevant, and she noted that he was on bail at the time of this offence. She took into account the letters and reports handed into the court, especially the letter from his mother, which outlined the “harrowing life he grew up in.” She noted his early guilty plea, his family support and that he is an enhanced prisoner as mitigating factors in this case.
Judge Crowe sentenced Brooks to three years in prison and said, “I wish to give him some hope for the future and incentivise him, so I will suspend the final six months for 12 months”. She also placed him under the supervision of the probation services for 12 months upon release.
Garda Erica Mullaney told Pieter Le Vert BL, prosecuting, that gardaí received a call on the night in question after an altercation broke out at the nightclub. The court heard that a patron had got “bottled” inside the nightclub and was escorted out a side door. Mr Owens had assisted in bringing in the injured man outside and then returned to his post at the main door.
Gda Mullaney said that while standing at the main door, Mr Owens saw a group of between six and 10 men running towards him. One of the men was the accused, Brandon Brooks. Another co-accused is before the courts. Brooks picked up a metal barrier and threw it at Mr Owens.
Mr Owens was punched by the group of men, including Brooks, up to 10 times and was stabbed three times by a male who is not Brooks.
The court heard that Mr Owens made his way back inside the main door, and it was locked. Gardaí were called. Mr Owens was taken to hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
CCTV was obtained from the nightclub, and Brooks was identified by gardaí. He was arrested, detained and questioned. CCTV footage was described to the court, where Brooks could be seen gesturing to the group to run towards the nightclub. He was also seen throwing the barrier and throwing punches towards Mr Owens's head.
A victim impact report was handed into the court and read aloud by prosecuting counsel. It outlined that Mr Owens suffers from PTSD, insomnia, flashbacks and nightmares. The man outlined that he has “self-destructive thoughts” and has “no trust in anyone any more”.
Saving for wedding
In his statement, Mr Owens said he had been “doing the odd night on the door to save for a mortgage and a wedding”.
Gda Mullaney agreed with Sarah Jane O’Callaghan, BL, defending, that her client caused no issue to the gardaí while in custody. Counsel said that what happened to Mr Owens was “deplorable”.
Ms O’Callaghan told the court that the man who was originally injured inside the nightclub was a friend of the accused, and he had received significant injuries. Her client had heard about this and came to the nightclub, and when he could not gain entry, he “lost complete control”.
Counsel said her client “holds his hands up to his role and that he had no knowledge that anyone in his company had a knife”. She said her client is now drug-free and an enhanced prisoner.
She said that her client’s family had brought €5,000 to court as a token of remorse for Mr Owens. Letters from Brooks's mother, partner, grandfather and former teacher were handed into court on his behalf.
She asked the court to take into account his early guilty plea and his remorse.
