Drunk launched random race hate attack on foreigner

Paschal Gibbons (41) had been told to move on by gardai moments earlier for being drunk in public when he seized the victim as he passed by and called him a "f**king Paki".

Judge Michael Walsh, sitting in Dublin District Court, adjourned the case for the production of a pre-sentence probation report after Gibbons admitted assault and public order charges.

Gibbons, of The Park, Larch Hill, Santry, pleaded guilty to assaulting the man in an incident on Dame Street in November last year. He also admitted public drunkenness and using threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

Sgt Brendan Duffy told the court he met the defendant on Dame Lane on November 11 last year and asked him to leave the area.

Calm

Gibbons seemed "relatively calm and coherent" at that stage, the sergeant said.

However, when Sgt Duffy followed him as he turned right on to Dame Street, he grabbed the person walking in the opposite direction, said "f**king Paki" and threw him to the ground.

The assault was "completely unprovoked", the court heard, and Gibbons continued to walk on.

When the garda went over to the victim, he told him: "That man assaulted me for no reason."

The accused was arrested at the scene.

Gibbons had a very serious alcohol problem, his solicitor Michael Kelleher told the court.

The court heard the victim was claiming monetary loss as a result of the assault.

The defendant was anxious to address that situation, Mr Kelleher said.

Judge Walsh adjourned the case to a date next month for the production of reports, a plea in mitigation and finalisation.

The accused did not make any statement during the brief court hearing.