Four teenagers to be sentenced next year for ‘disturbing’ beating of student in DCU

Four teenagers who carried out “an unprovoked, unwarranted and unexpected” assault on a university student have had their sentence adjourned until next year. Three of the youths, one 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds, cannot be named as they are still juveniles. The fourth is 19 years old and the older brother of the 16-year-old.

Each of them pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder at Dublin City University campus on February 25th, 2012. None of the teenagers has previous convictions.

Luke Davy (22) needed extensive dental work due to the five-minute beating during which he was kicked and punched about the body and head. The attack was captured on CCTV footage, which was played for Judge Desmond Hogan.

It was put to the 19-year-old during his Garda interview that the footage shows the four of them “high-fiving and shaking hands” after the attack on Mr Davy but the accused said this was them making sure they were all okay after what he claimed was a fight.

Mr Davy had intended to be in court for the sentence hearing but he had an interview for a job.

His victim impact report said the attack had a “profound effect” on his social life and he was unable to sleep at night because of his injuries. He still attended for dental treatment.

Judge Hogan said “a picture speaks a thousands words” and described the CCTV footage as “deeply disturbing”.

He said he was adjourning the case for such a long period to see if the four could continue to stay out of trouble. He told Garda Barry Duggan to bring the case back before him if they came to any Garda attention.