Gardaí attended the scene of the assault on the cyclist, by a road rage driver, then investigated and located the attacker's car (Photo: Lukassek)
A road rage driver who was 26-years-old when he assaulted a 64-year-old cyclist has had his 10-month jail sentence dropped and his driving ban lifted. The judge said the driver deserved a prison sentence but pointed out the jails in Ireland were "bursting" to the point prisoners were sleeping on floors.
The cyclist who was assaulted suffered from anxiety and was in fear after the incident and his family, including his grandchildren, were very concerned for him. He lost his passion for the outdoors and was later diagnosed with cancer and has since died.
The victim's grandson told the driver's appeal hearing the incident had greatly impacted the family, they were so concerned for his grandfather after the assault as he was left in fear.
Glenn Corcoran, Keeper Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, now aged 30 years, was convicted in the District Court of assault on December 1st, 2022 at Drimnagh Road.
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He had gotten into a verbal dispute with the cyclist and assaulted him at the scene, with gardaí called. Sgt Caolan Devane told the District Court Appeals Court the injured party had a gash to his head as a result of the assault.
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After the cyclist received medical treatment at the scene, the Garda investigated the matter and the next day located the attacker's car and CCTV of the incident.
Corcoran was initially given a 10-month jail term, with one month suspended, as well as a five-year driving ban and ordered to pay €10,000 in compensation to the victim. He was also order to undergo an education course and psychological counselling.
However, he appealed the severity of the sentence and now that appeal has resulted in his 10-month jail term being fully suspended and his driving ban being lifted. He was ordered to pay €15,000 to the family of the now deceased cyclist.
Judge Simon McAleese said while Corcoran "clearly deserves" to go to prison, he wondered what good it would do. He described the assault as "chilling to behold", telling Corcoran he was half the victim's age.
However, the judge also said the jails in Ireland were so overcrowded prisoners were sleeping on floors and others were being freed early.
In also lifting the driving ban, the judge told Corcoran not to let such an incident happen again. Judge McAleese added increasing the fine to €15,000, to be paid to the victim's family, amounted to a “very substantial and expensive lesson” for Corcoran.
The convicted man's lawyer told the court her client was remorseful and apologetic and had undertaken an anger management course. He had no previous convictions for assault, she said.
