Man in pub row spared prison

Paul Buckland (32) struck the victim so hard, he suffered a deviated septum that needed surgery to realign it following the assault at a bar in south Dublin.

Buckland, of Carlisle Street, Portobello, pleaded guilty to assaulting Stephen Doyle at the Portobello Pub on February 6.

The court heard Mr Doyle, an actuary, was watching a match with his friends on the day and the accused was in a separate party.

There was "some interference with the view of the game that led to some communication between the parties, which resulted in Mr Doyle being struck in the face with a very severe blow", the judge said.

Buckland had begged Judge Dunne not to send him to prison.

aphelan@herald.ie