A MAN WHO plunged a glass into a rugby player's eye after the player accidentally bumped into him has had his prison sentence doubled from two to four years by the Court of Criminal Appeal.
Michael Mooney (26), an electrician, Niall Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin, had pleaded guilty last March to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm by striking Eoin Ó Cuilleanáin in the face with a glass object on April 23rd, 2006.
Mr Ó Cuilleanáin was out with friends in Dublin city after returning from the all Ireland league rugby final in Athlone, when the attack happened.
He lost the natural lens in his left eye as a result of the incident at a nightclub in D'Olier Street. It was feared at one stage he could have lost his sight completely.
Mooney was given a four-year sentence, with the final two years suspended, by Judge Frank O'Donnell at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed that sentence on grounds it was unduly lenient.
The three-judge Court of Criminal Appeal, of Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns presiding and sitting with Mr Justice Declan Budd and Ms Justice Maureen Clark, yesterday increased Mooney's sentence to eight years in prison with the final four suspended.
Mr Justice Kearns said the court agreed with the DPP that the sentence imposed was "a significant departure" from that merited given the nature of the assault.
The judge said Mr Ó Cuilleanáin had suffered extremely serious injuries. Mooney's "horrific" assault had changed his life and had put an end to his rugby career. He had to repeat his first year in university and required surgery on his eye.
Mr Justice Kearns added that the court accepted Mooney had a serious alcohol problem at the time, that he had since dealt with his addiction and had paid €10,000 compensation to Mr Ó Cuilleanáin.
However, the court also had to take into account Mooney had 25 previous convictions for criminal damage, public order and other offences.