Man left with broken jaw after assault in pub toilet

A MAN, who “lashed out” with his fist and broke the jaw of another man during an altercation at a pub in Monaghan Town, has been ordered to double the €3,000 he had offered in compensation if he wants to avoid a six-month prison sentence.

Conor Ballantine (39) with an address on Devin Reilly Terrace, Killygoan, Monaghan Town, pleaded guilty to assaulting Pauric Murphy at The Shambles Bar, Monaghan Town, on April 10, 2022.

The court was told that Ballantine was initially charged with assault causing harm and had intended to contest this before a jury. A jury had been sworn in at the October 2024 sittings, but the defendant subsequently changed his plea to one of guilty and the prosecution had agreed to reduce the charge to common assault.

Garda Graig Curran recalled that Mr Murphy’s mother called gardaí to state that her son had been assaulted and that he was in St James’s Hospital in Dublin with a fractured jaw.

The garda confirmed to prosecuting counsel Frank Martin BL that he visited Pauric Murphy at his home on April 14, 2022, after he was released from hospital. Mr Murphy said that he was watching a football match on TV with others at the Shambles Bar, Monaghan Town. A person not before the court had asked him outside for a fight but he declined. He said had been struck twice while in the pub (by a person not before the court).

Mr Murphy claimed that he went to the toilets in the pub after the football match ended, where he was involved in a verbal exchange with the defendant. He asked Conor Ballantine not to be bringing his family’s name into it, but Ballantine lashed out and struck him on the chin with a closed fist.

The injured party was stunned and dazed by this, and it felt like his jaw was “hanging”. Matters then spilled out into the pub and certain witnesses were identified, in an investigation that led to the arrest of Ballantine.

Garda Curran confirmed that Ballantine was not co-operative when interviewed and had taken a “no comment” approach to every question asked of him.

It was also confirmed that Mr Murphy had been taken to Cavan Hospital and then to St James’s where he underwent an operation. A medical report noted that the right side of his jaw was swollen and that an x-ray showed a fracture. After surgery at St James’s, Mr Murphy had braces inserted to keep his teeth aligned, and he was in severe pain for two weeks. He had also been forced to remain on a liquid diet for five weeks, and experienced pain while talking or laughing.

The injured party himself read a victim impact statement in which he said his jaw had to be wired for over two months following what he called an unprovoked attack. He couldn’t eat solid food during that period and lost significant weight. He had felt weak and vulnerable both physically and emotionally and it was a tremendous battle to get through each day. It was hard to speak clearly, and laughing without discomfort became impossible.

Mr Murphy, who is in his early 30s, said his jaw would never be the same again and simple acts he once took for granted like talking, chewing and yawning continue to cause discomfort.

The mental toll, he said, had also been enormous, and he was in constant fear of further injuries to his jaw. He remained anxious in social situations and worried about the possibility of encountering the defendant again. The incident had taken away his confidence and ability to enjoy life.

Lasting damage

The defendant’s action had thereby left him physically, emotionally and psychologically scarred, and he would have to deal with this for the rest of his life, Mr Murphy concluded.

Judge John Aylmer had been told by Garda Curran that Mr Ballantine had 42 previous convictions including five for assaults between 2007 and 2012, two for drug offences in the 2010-2011 period and various road traffic breaches including drink driving.

It was noted by Breffni Gordon BL, defending, that the last serious conviction against his client dated back to 2012. Ballantine was described as a working man and father to seven children aged 18 down to five years. On the day of the incident before the court, there was a lot of alcohol taken.

Mr Gordon also pointed out that his client had raised €3,000, and that this was immediately available to the injured party by way of recompense.

Appalling record

Judge Aylmer said the defendant had “an appalling record”, even if the most significant part of that record pre-dated 2012. The absence of co-operation and the late plea also meant there was very little that could be said in mitigation, other than what could be offered in compensation.

On that basis, the judge said he wanted to see a further €3,000 raised, bringing the total to €6,000, and that he was adjourning the case for 12 months to allow that sum be raised.

Given the seriousness of the incident, the maximum sentence of six months’ prison for this category of assault would be a starting point, but the court would deal with the matter on a non-custodial basis if the extra money were in court at the October 2026 hearings, Judge Aylmer stated in conclusion.