No jail for attack on taxi driver in Cork

A TIPPERARY man who was absent without leave (AWOL) from a trainee post in the Irish army attacked a taxi driver by punching him three times in the face during a late night violent incident.

The assault on the taxi driver occurred in Bishopstown when the accused man and another man were travelling as backseat passengers.

Mark Beresford, aged 30, of Gortnataggart, Thurles, Co Tipperary, got out of the car, opened the driver’s door, and from a standing position outside the car he punched the driver three times in the face causing him facial injury, from which he is still suffering the consequences three years later.

A fully suspended jail term was imposed on the assailant at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to the driver on May 1, 2021, at Curraheen Road, Bishopstown, Cork.

Defence barrister Mahon Corkery said the man brought compensation for the injured party to court in the sum of €2,000, and he wanted to gather €4,000 more.

Judge Cormac Quinn said it was a term of the suspension that the accused would hand over €4,000 to An Garda Síochána for onward transmission to the injured party.

Garda Danny Murray told the court that the taxi driver picked up the two men in Cork city that night and they asked to be driven to Thurles, Co Tipperary.

However, at Lower Glanmire Rd, they changed their mind and said that instead they wanted to be taken to Bishopstown.

The defendant argued with the driver at Bishopstown and he got out of the back seat. 

“He opened the driver’s door and punched him three times in the face,” Garda Murray said.

It later was established that Mr Beresford was AWOL from Defence Forces training at the time of this incident.

Judge Quinn said: “This was an unprovoked attack on the taxi driver which has had a bad effect on the unfortunate driver. He has four children to provide for. He spends his time looking after his children or providing for them.”

The judge said that previous public order convictions against the accused were an aggravating factor in the case.

Questioned about the assault by gardaí, the defendant said he could not remember it but did not deny it happening.

Judge Quinn accepted that the defendant showed appropriate remorse and shame. The judge said: “I will impose a sentence of 18 months. I will suspend it fully.”

He is required to keep the peace for the next two years, present another €4,000 compensation by September and attend for all probation service appointments in the next 18 months. He is also required to engage with addiction services.