Men Jailed For Stamping On Norwegian Tourist

Two have been jailed for terms of seven and six years at Dublin Criminal court for rendering a man almost incapable of speech after a vicious attack.

Mr Andreas Nagelsett, 35, a former school teacher, is currently only able to communicate with his young daughter for one hour a day before he is left exhausted.

Christopher Burgess, 19, of Templeview Avenue, Clarehall was given a seven year sentence and Leonard Finnegan, 20, of Harolds Cross Road a six year term.

Both pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Nagelsett causing him serious harm at Great Strand Street.

Three Norwegian men, including Mr Nagelsett, had spent the day in a number of pubs before encountering a group of young men on Great Strand Street, near the city centre.

A witness to the assault told gardai he saw Burgess stamping on Mr Nagelsett's head as hard as he could four or five times he lay motionless on the ground.

Burgess had 18 previous convictions and Finnegan had 15 convictions. Finnegan is currently serving a two-year sentence imposed last October for robbing a bicycle and mobile phone from two children. Burgess has been held in custody since the attack on Mr Nagelsett.

Mr Nagelsett was taken to hospital and treated for serious head injuries. His airway was compromised by swelling and blood in his nose and throat and he had been left with ongoing serious speech difficulties.

Mr Sean Gillane BL, defending Burgess, said he had been homeless at the time of the offences after leaving a violent domestic situation. He described Burgess as a "slow burning fuse" who had himself been subjected to violence and started using drugs aged just nine.

Mr Luán Ó Braonáin SC, defending Finnegan, said his client wished to apologise for his actions. He added that Finnegan came from a difficult background, was homeless at the time and had been drinking leading up to the offence.

Judge Delahunt suspended the final year of both sentences.

(DW/JM)