‘worst mistake’ | 

IT worker spared criminal record for punching woman after losing his temper in Dublin pub

Hughes Foucart, a French national of Arthur Griffith Park, Lucan had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the woman at O’Neill’s pub

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An IT worker who punched a woman in the jaw in a pub row has been spared a criminal record after paying €3,000 in compensation.

Hughes Foucart (51) made “the worst mistake of his life” when he lost his temper during a dispute and struck out, hitting the woman.

Judge David McHugh dismissed the charge under the Probation of Offenders Act after the accused made the payment.

The judge said he would make no further comment on the case as he had not originally dealt with it.

Foucart, a French national of Arthur Griffith Park, Lucan had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the woman at O’Neill’s pub, Main Street, Lucan on June 17, 2022.

Blanchardstown District Court heard previously that the victim was socialising with friends in the smoking area when Foucart came out and got into a verbal dispute with the people she was with “over something trivial”.

Foucart lost his temper and punched the woman on the side of the jaw, causing swelling and bruising. The victim and accused were strangers and had no previous dealings with each other, the court heard.

The dispute had been with another person in her company.

Foucart had no previous convictions.

His solicitor, Luke Staines, had asked the court for leniency, saying an assault conviction would be “devastating” for Foucart.

The court had heard if the victim did not wish to receive the compensation, the money could be donated to charity.