A Judge has suggested the Government should consider introducing new laws to control the employment of "bouncers" in Dublin night clubs.
The Circuit Court President, Mr Justice Smyth, dealing with what he described as the third case involving violent night-club bouncers in a matter of weeks, said it was "a matter for the legislature to introduce legislation to control in some way this difficult situation."
Awarding a self-employed plumber almost £13,000 damages against Breneagh Catering Ltd, trading as Copper Faced Jack's night club, Harcourt Street, Dublin, Mr Justice Smyth said it was quite clear the bouncers employed were of a violent disposition.
He said it was the third such case involving violence by bouncers to come before his court in the last two months and he had been told by a Garda officer in the area he was aware there were a number of bouncers in Dublin night clubs who had a propensity to violence.
Mr Justice Smyth said the plaintiff, Mr John Stanley, of Dowland Road, Walkinstown, Dublin, had received injuries to his right eye, neck, groin and lower back when set upon by a number of bouncers. Counsel for Mr Stanley told the court his client had been standing in a semicircle with friends in the club when a bouncer aggressively barged through them.
When words were exchanged between one of the group, Mr Gary Nolan, and the bouncer he had signalled to other bouncers and a very violent attack had resulted in which very severe facial injuries had been caused to Mr Nolan.
Mr Stanley had been restrained from participating in the fray by a bouncer who had put him in a hammer-lock hold. When he later freed himself he received blows and while being ejected from the club he had been held in a choke hold. Counsel said the incident had been "a celebrated and well-reported incident" at the time.