A FATHER-OF-FOUR has admitted biting off part of another man’s thumb on the grounds of a Limerick hotel despite not having any memory of the incident.
Damien Conway, aged 47, of Kilteragh, Dooradoyle, Limerick has pleaded guilty to assaulting Dean Burke on October 23, 2022.
During a sentencing hearing at Limerick Circuit Court, Detective Sergeant Michael Reidy said the incident took place on a roadway at the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare at around 12:10am.
Oktoberfest, a German-themed beer festival, was being celebrated that night.
Judge Fiona O’Sullivan heard there was a dispute between Dean Burke and others earlier in the night regarding drinks which were allegedly taken from another table.
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Lily Buckley BL, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, said what ensued was an “unusual incident” and that the steiners of beer “may have contributed to matters.”
The court was told after Mr Burke and his friends decided to leave the hotel, he got into the rear passenger seat of a Ford Focus car.
As this car approached a crossing on the grounds, the defendant appeared in front of it on the road.
Sean Donegan, a passenger seated beside Mr Burke, told gardai the victim rolled the car window down and began shouting at Mr Conway to move.
He was then approached and punched through the window multiple times. A woman involved in the earlier dispute was also present – she was later identified as Mr Conway’s wife.
While the altercation was taking place, the driver decided to accelerate the vehicle in an attempt to leave.
Mr Conway grabbed onto the window while also holding Dean Burke’s wrist. He ran alongside the car as it drove for 74 metres.
After the defendant let go and fell, Dean Burke felt a sharp pain in his left hand and noticed part of his thumb, from the nailbed upwards, was gone. He could make out two “bucked teeth” marks on it.
These marks were described as looking like someone had taken a bite out of a cake.
Mr Burke attended University Hospital Limerick and the severed thumb was retrieved the next day.
However, it was not possible to re-attach the severed portion and he underwent surgery to formalise the amputation.
A doctor who assessed Mr Burke classed this as a “traumatic” partial amputation.
Judge O’Sullivan heard that Dean Burke had consumed about four steiners of beer and described himself as “tipsy.”
He told gardai he believed Mr Conway grabbed him because he either wanted to pull him out of the car or get in.
The victim has struggled in the aftermath of the incident, experiencing issues with sleep, phantom pains as well as flashbacks.
The injury has affected his daily life as his thumb is highly sensitive and cuts easily. He struggles with some utensils and tying his shoelaces can be a challenge.
Mr Conway went to gardaí after the incident and voluntarily gave his clothing to them days later.
The father-of-four said he thought the group in the car had been drinking and shouting at his wife.
He told gardai he remembered the vehicle going fast and his feet being dragged with it but that much of his memory is blank.
While Mr Conway, who has no previous convictions, “was well on it” by his own admission, he said he had consumed a “normal amount” of alcohol on the night.
Despite having marks on his face, he initially denied hitting and biting Mr Burke but as the interview progressed, he became more open to such a possibility.
When asked directly if he bit the victim, he replied: “That’s the million dollar question.”
Mark Nicholas SC said his client is a family man who works in construction. He said he is a “decent fellow” and accepts he must have carried out these acts despite having no memory of it.
He added that €10,000 in compensation was being offered to the victim by his client.
Dean Burke, the court heard, returned to hurling with his club this season and is trying not to let this “disfigurement” bring him down.
Upon hearing facts of the case, Judge Fiona O’Sullivan said there is “a lot to consider” and put the matter back to June 3 for mention.