Ireland Case No. 7257Assault · Co. Dublin · 31 Oct 2016
Man ordered to pay damages and costs over 2016 Halloween party assault in Killiney, Co Dublin
On 31 October 2016, at a Halloween party on Church Road, Killiney, Co Dublin, Zachary Kelly, then 16, punched and headbutted fellow teenager Sean Holmes, who suffered a broken nose and concussion. On 27 October 2023, in the Circuit Civil Court, Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain directed Kelly, now 23, to pay Holmes more than €52,000 in damages and Holmes's legal costs, a total bill of over €90,000 including Kelly's own costs. The article does not report the outcome of the criminal proceedings. The latest development is this civil damages ruling.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Zachary Kelly punched and headbutted Sean Holmes, another teenager, at the party.
- Where
- The assault happened at a Halloween party on Church Road, Killiney, Co Dublin.
- When
- The assault happened on 31 October 2016, just before midnight.
- Cause
- Kelly said he punched Holmes after Holmes called him names when they accidentally brushed shoulders.
- Other details
- Zachary Kelly was 16 at the time of the assault and is now 23, of Mobhi Road, Glasnevin.
- Sean Holmes was a former Terenure College student and suffered a broken nose and concussion.
- Holmes said he still has breathing difficulties and headaches and needs surgery.
- Kelly's mother sent an apology and a €30 voucher to Holmes's parents in an attempt to settle the €60,000 claim, which they returned.
- In court
- Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain said the assault was not premeditated and that criminal proceedings were taken.
- The judge assessed general damages for personal injury at €40,000 in the Circuit Civil Court.
- Investigation
- The outcome of the criminal proceedings is not reported in the articles.
- Sentence
- Kelly was directed to pay Holmes more than €52,000 in damages.
- Kelly was directed to pay Holmes's legal costs.
- Kelly faces a total bill of more than €90,000 including his own legal costs.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatZachary Kelly punched and headbutted Sean Holmes, another teenager, at the party. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe assault happened at a Halloween party on Church Road, Killiney. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe assault happened on October 31st, 2016, just before midnight. (irishtimes.com)
- causeKelly said he punched Sean Holmes after being called names by him when they accidentally brushed shoulders. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Sinead Ni Chulachain said the assault was not premeditated and that there were criminal proceedings. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge assessed general damages for personal injury at €40,000. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceKelly was directed to pay more than €52,000 in damages to Holmes. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceKelly was directed to pay Holmes's legal costs. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceKelly faces a total bill of more than €90,000 including his own legal costs. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSean Holmes suffered a broken nose and concussion. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHolmes said he still has breathing difficulties and headaches and needs surgery. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Oct2023Man faces €90,000 damages and legal bill over assault carried out when he was 16
Civil damages ruling on a 2016 assault when the suspect was 16. The article gives the damages figures, the judge's reasoning and the total costs. It does not state the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
suspect, Zachary Kelly, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Zachary Kellyvictim, Sean Holmes, 23, male, irish (judged from name)Sean Holmes