A Limerick bus driver has pleaded guilty to assaulting a taxi driver in Ennis.
Petrus Hoffman, of Huntsfield Avenue, Dooradoyle, Limerick lost his job as a result of the incident last November which saw him punch the man 10 to 15 times.
Clare FM’s Fiona McGarry reports:
A bus driver bringing home Irish rugby fans got into a late night ruck over parking with a taxi driver and punched the taxi-man 10 to 15 times in the face and stomach.
Solicitor for Petrus Hoffman, Daragh Hassett said that Mr Hoffman lost his job as a result of his assault on taxi-driver, Sean O’Connor (57) last November.
Mr Hoffman of Huntsfield Avenue, Dooradoyle, Limerick was bringing home Irish rugby fans – some of them drunk – after a long day of supporting Ireland at the Ireland Australia rugby match last November.
In the case, Insp Kieran Ruane told Ennis District Court yesterday that Mr Hoffman got into the row with Mr O’Connor in the car-park of the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis shortly after midnight on November 27th.
Insp Ruane said that Mr Hoffman alleged that the way Mr O’Connor’s taxi was parked resulted in his bus hitting a bollard and sustaining damage.
The inspector said that as passengers were disembarking, Mr Hoffman got out of the bus and started to verbally abuse Mr O’Connor over the way he was parked.
According to the inspector, one witness to the incident saw Mr Hoffman punch Mr O’Connor 10 to 15 times in the face and stomach.
Mr Hoffman pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr O’Connor.
Mr Hassett admitted: “This wasn’t handbags. Mr Hoffman clearly landed some punches on this man.”
Judge Patrick Durcan said: “This is an appalling case and a very serious case – by the nature of the assault but also by virtue of the circumstances surrounding it.”
Judge Durcan said that the court has to consider a prison sentence, a disqualification and a heavy fine for Mr Hoffman.
Mr Hassett said: “I hope to persuade you differently judge.”
Mr Hassett said that Mr O’Connor was parked incorrectly on the night and was parked in a yellow box.
Mr Hassett said that Mr Hoffman was a smiley, excellent employee who takes particular pride in his job and he blames the taxi driver for doing what he did and the damage to the bus.
Mr Hassett said that as a result of the 10 second row, Mr Hoffman – a married man with a teenage son in secondary school – lost his job.
Mr Hassett said that his client has in court €2,000 to compensate Mr O’Connor.
In his victim impact statement, Mr O’Connor said that the assault “left me traumatised”
He said: “I was left bruised with a severe headache. I was unable to work on doctor’s advice for a week due to bruising, headache and stress. Subsequently, I am wary of strangers approaching me.”
Mr Hassett said that Mr Hoffman is back doing some work for the State that involves driving and that a conviction would make it very difficult for him to get more work.
Mr Hassett said that his client has no previous conviction. Judge Durcan adjourned the case to November 8th.
