Law graduate sentenced for assaults on bouncer and garda

A law graduate who knocked a bouncer’s teeth out after being refused entry to a nightclub before punching a garda in the mouth has received a partially suspended two-year sentence.

Niall McGlynn (30), a graduate of Trinity Law School, also robbed a bookmakers, during which he was thrown out and held by staff until gardaí­ arrived.

McGlynn, of Castlefarm, Swords, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of assault and one count of assault causing harm in Dublin city centre and in Pearse Street Garda station on January 27th, 2014.

He also pleaded guilty to robbery at Paddy Power in Swords on June 12th, 2015.

Judge Karen O’Connor suspended the final six months of the sentence and gave McGlynn credit for the three months he had spent in custody.

Prosecuting counsel Marie Torrens BL told the court that McGlynn and another man were very drunk when they went to the Czech Inn in Temple Bar, Dublin, on the night in question.

She said the bouncer refused them entry because of their condition.

McGlynn became aggressive and was told by the bouncer to “chill out”.

McGlynn then punched the victim in the mouth.

The bouncer fell back into the doorway and could feel that his teeth were broken.

Another bouncer from the pub across the road witnessed the attack and chased after McGlynn.

He caught up to McGlynn on Ormond Quay, but the accused punched him and escaped.

Ms Torrens said that when gardaí­ eventually caught McGlynn on North King Street he was very aggressive.

He kicked out at gardaí when put in the back of the patrol car and gardaí­ pepper sprayed him.

When he got to the station he appeared to calm down, but when officers removed his handcuffs he punched Garda Brian Cleary to the face.

Gambling addiction

The court heard that the following year McGlynn, who has a serious gambling addiction, went into his local Paddy Power.

A staff member told him he couldn’t serve McGlynn because he had been barred the previous week.

McGlynn said he didn’t want to be served and jumped up on the counter shouting: “I want the money.”

He grabbed some notes but then fell off the counter, scattering the cash.

A staff member grabbed him and threw him out of the bookies.

McGlynn was then held there until gardaí­ arrived.

Defence counsel Maddie Grant BL said McGlynn had a law degree from Trinity College Dublin but never practised as a lawyer.

She said he had a gambling and substance abuse problem but had remained out of trouble since the Paddy Power incident.