A teenage chronic heroin addict who slashed a man's face with a broken bottle and left the lower part of his face hanging down has been jailed for five years. The victim had only a piece of his lip remaining after the unprovoked attack which left his jawbone and teeth exposed. He received plastic surgery and 26 stitches but remains badly scarred.
Garreth Marlowe (18), Walkinstown Drive, Walkinstown, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to wounding Mr John Ellis at Dolphin Park, Rialto on March 24th, 1997.
Marlowe was noted to be heavily under the influence of heroin during the hearing but confirmed when asked on the direction of Judge Elizabeth Dunne that he understood what was going on.
Judge Dunne noted Marlowe's mother was suffering from a terminal illness and was the victim of domestic violence at the hands of her alcoholic husband. Marlowe was very supportive of her but because of the "sheer horror" of what he had done to Mr Ellis, he had to be jailed. He had "deeply entrenched problems" due to his dysfunctional background.
He needed time to deal with these problems and his case would not be reviewed until November 7th, 2001. Det Garda John Goulding told prosecuting counsel Mr Des Zaidan that Mr Ellis was helping a friend with some work at Dolphin Park, which was an old people's centre in Rialto.
Two youths were causing trouble and, after Mr Ellis asked them to move on, Marlowe struck him over the head with a beer bottle.
Det Garda Goulding said the bottle broke and Marlowe then used it to cut open Mr Ellis's face. The victim remembered little after the attack but when being taken to hospital he pointed out Marlowe to gardai as his attacker.
Marlowe immediately admitted his guilt and expressed concern that Mr Ellis would die as a result. He was very remorseful. Det Garda Goulding said Mr Ellis's life had been severely curtailed. He had been an outgoing person who went out to meet and help friends but now seldom did.
He was still in shock and had moved home because of his fear. Defence counsel Mr John Hanlon said Marlowe had a chaotic family background and had been the mainstay of his mother's protection in the home from her violent husband who beat both her and their children on his irregular visits.
Marlowe began dabbling in drugs from an early age and was a chronic heroin addict since he was 15.
Mr Hanlon said he was shocked at his client's appearance in court. This was due to consumption of drugs.