‘unprovoked’ | 

Dublin dad allegedly beat tourist unconscious in ‘random’ Chickn Lickn attack

Thomas Keogh (28) is accused of repeatedly punching the man in the face

Today at 15:08

A father-of-two beat a UK tourist unconscious in a “random, unprovoked attack” as he queued at a fast food restaurant in Dublin, it is alleged.

Thomas Keogh (28) is accused of repeatedly punching the man in the face, leaving him with a suspected broken nose and concussion.

Judge Monika Leech refused to grant him bail and remanded him in custody when he appeared in Dublin District Court.

Mr Keogh, of Griffith Hall, Glandore Road, Dublin 9 is charged with assault causing harm to the man on February 11.

Dublin District Court heard the accused made no reply when he was charged and cautioned. Objecting to bail, a garda told the court the alleged victim was standing in the queue at Chickn Lickn restaurant on Liffey Street after midnight when he was approached by the accused.

Mr Keogh “rubbed and pushed” the man’s face with his hands and he tried to push the accused’s hands away and back away from him, it was alleged.

“Without warning, the accused launched an attack on him”, the garda said.

It was alleged Mr Keogh struck the man to the face “numerous times” while he was standing and after he fell to the ground. Another unidentified man was also alleged to have struck the man once.

Gardai who had been on beat patrol arrived “almost immediately” and apprehended Mr Keogh as he was leaving the scene on a bike, the court heard. The garda said CCTV clearly showed Mr Keogh punching the alleged victim in the face numerous times.

Members of Dublin Fire Brigade treated the tourist at the scene and he was taken to the Mater Hospital where he was treated for a suspected broken nose and concussion.

Mr Keogh had no connection to the alleged injured party who was visiting Dublin for the weekend with friends and it was a “totally random and unprovoked attack,” the garda said.

He claimed the accused was “caught red-handed” and he was also identified by restaurant staff and members of the public.

The garda feared Mr Keogh would not show up in court if granted bail.

Applying for bail, defence solicitor Michael French said the accused was presumed innocent and “entitled to a full contest” of the charge. If the case went to the circuit court, it could be the end of next year before it went to trial.

The assault allegation was potentially serious but there was no medical report yet in relation to the alleged victim’s injuries, Mr French said.

Mr Keogh had two young children and was caring for a relative who was ill, the court heard. Judge Leech said the garda objections were “well-founded” and refused bail. The accused was remanded in custody to appear in Cloverhill District Court on Friday.

Mr Keogh has not yet entered a plea to the charge which is under Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.