A youth who kicked a 98FM radio presenter during a live broadcast in Tallaght, Co Dublin, has been jailed for 12 months by Judge Patrick McCartan.
The presenter, Niall Boylan, continued broadcasting the Chris Barry Show after the incident. Topics being discussed on the show that evening included car stealing and unemployment.
Alan Hooper (19) of Drumcairn Avenue, Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Mr Boylan and the unlawful possession of a car at Fettercairn Ring Road on March 11th, 1999.
Judge McCartan noted that when the case first came before him last March he offered Hooper the chance to stay out of prison by behaving himself but, since then, he had been given a 15-month sentence by Tallaght District Court for threatening a person with a hammer.
Det Garda Noel Smith said Hooper had four convictions for larceny, road traffic offences and one under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. Det Garda Smith told Ms Aileen Donnelly, prosecuting, that Hooper, along with a number of youths, hit and kicked Mr Boylan in an effort to steal his car during the live broadcast.
Garda Smith said Mr Boylan grabbed Hooper in an effort to get his keys from him and a struggle ensued. Hooper called out to other youths for help. Mr Boylan was forced to the ground where Hooper hit him and took his keys.
He then jumped into the presenter's car but failed to start it and ran from the scene. He was immediately caught by gardai.
Det Garda Smith said Mr Boylan was "terrified" as a result of the incident and had ceased to participate in live broadcasts in the Tallaght area. Hooper admitted to having the car keys and calling to his friends for help but denied he hit the presenter.
Defence counsel Mr Bernard Condon said Hooper had been "put up" to the crime by his friends and thought the car had been stolen earlier. He said the Tallaght area had a serious problem with "joyriders" and young people who participated in "car destroying". Mr Condon said his client now works in car sales and was prepared to put his "wild" past behind him.