‘savage beating’ | 

Leroy Dumbrell-Roche slammed pal’s head off the ground and stamped on him, court told

Tony Dempsey was dragged unconscious but came to, bleeding from his face and ears, and the accused left after the alleged 12-minute incident

Today at 16:17

A MAN has been accused of a “savage” attack on a friend who had his head slammed off a pavement and “stamped on” in front of onlookers in Dublin.

Leroy Roche (37) of Emmet Road, Dublin 8, also known as Leroy Dumbrell-Roche, is accused of assaulting Tony Dempsey (28) with intent to cause bodily harm, on the morning of August 22, 2022, at Essex Quay in the city centre.

He was charged on Saturday and appeared at Dublin District Court before Judge Michele Finan, who set bail in his bond of €500 and required approval of a €10,000 independent surety before he was released.

Garda William McCarthy told the court the accused made no reply when charged.

The officer objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case, in which the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court. The offence carries a maximum five-year sentence.

He told Judge Finan the accused and Mr Dempsey had been sitting outside a cafe for about 25 minutes “in good spirits”.

They then spoke to two females who left, and their “conversation descended into a heated argument”. Leroy Roche went, but Mr Dempsey shouted something at him.

The accused allegedly chased Mr Dempsey to the Essex Quay and attacked him with kicks, punches, headbutts and knees in front of on-coming traffic.

The court heard that Mr Dempsey dropped bagged items, which the accused allegedly began picking up.

It was claimed that Mr Roche then “mounted him and slammed his head into the pavement before stamping on his head”.

He allegedly shouted at members of the public who tried to stop the “savage beating unleashed on Tony Dempsey”.

Mr Dempsey was dragged unconscious but came to, bleeding from his face and ears, and the accused left after the alleged 12-minute incident. Mr Dempsey refused to get medical assistance.

The court heard that Mr Dempsey died the following month, but the Garda stressed that it was a separate incident and Mr Roche was not a suspect in that investigation.

He has not yet indicated a plea to the assault.

Defence barrister, Kevin McCrave, pleaded for bail, asking the court to note that these were allegations and that Mr Roche had been free in the community for more than a year since the alleged incident.

Mr McCrave argued that there were no grounds to deny his client’s application.

Judge Finan remanded him in custody with consent to bail to appear at Cloverhill District Court next week.

She also ordered the accused, who did not address the court, to stay away from sections of the south quays in the city and sign on daily at a Garda station after he takes up bail.

Legal aid was granted after the court heard he was on social welfare.