A man who bit off part of an ex-colleague's ear has been remanded on bail pending sentence to give him time "to get a job and stop taking handouts from the State".
David Foley (40), Broadstone Avenue, Phibsboro, Dublin, has been unemployed for the last three years. The separated father is receiving welfare support for his children and would lose these benefits if he returned to work, Judge Donagh McDonagh heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
"So it's grand for the State to pay out the bucks, but it's not grand for him to get off his butt and get some work," Judge McDonagh said.
Foley pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Justin Kneeland at Eamonn Doran's pub, Crown Alley, Temple Bar, on February 1st, 2004.
Judge McDonagh adjourned the case to October by which time he said Foley must be in continual employment "be it as managing director of ESB or picking bubble gum off the street". He also told Foley he was to put 50 per cent of his net wage away each week and to have that sum in cash before the court.
"You knew for three years that you would be facing the doors of justice," he said. "Other accused come with a little wad and I would have thought you would be doing anything to have money together for your victim.
"There are plenty of employers in this country screaming out for employees. Half of eastern Europe is breaking down our door for work."
He warned Foley that if he got into any trouble before the next court date, "I will come down on you like a ton of bricks".
Mr Kneeland was working as security supervisor for Proguard Security at the time and was leaving Eamonn Doran's pub when he met Foley who was intoxicated and agitated that he had been refused entry.
Mr Kneeland brought him to the other side of the road in an effort to try and calm him down but Foley tried to kick and punch Mr Kneeland. The victim grabbed Foley's arms and pushed him against the shutters of the cafe. His face was quite close to Foley's who clamped down on his ear and tore off the flesh, before spitting the piece of ear out on the ground.
Foley had 17 previous convictions since 1981.