Ireland Man who punched broadcaster Brendan Courtney awaits sentencing
Ross Deegan, a 22-year-old man from An Riasc, Finglas, Dublin, punched broadcaster Brendan Courtney several times on Usher's Quay in Dublin city centre around 9.30pm on 27 February 2025, causing a concussion and a fractured eye socket. Deegan contacted gardaí voluntarily on 5 March 2025 and later pleaded guilty to assaulting Courtney causing harm. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martina Baxter directed a probation report, remanded Deegan on continuing bail and adjourned the case to 22 July for finalisation. Deegan is awaiting sentencing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court1 Mar
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A man punched broadcaster Brendan Courtney several times.
- Deegan ran at Courtney and punched him, then threw two further punches to the side of his head.
- Courtney sustained a concussion and a fracture of his eye socket.
- Where
- The assault happened at Usher's Quay in Dublin city centre.
- When
- The assault happened around 9.30pm on 27 February 2025 while Courtney was walking home along the quays.
- Investigation
- Deegan contacted gardaí voluntarily on 5 March 2025 to identify his involvement in the assault.
- Other details
- When interviewed by gardaí, Deegan claimed it was self-defence.
- Deegan brought €1,500 to court as a gesture of remorse.
- Charges
- Deegan pleaded guilty to assaulting Courtney causing harm on 27 February 2025.
- In court
- The hearing was reported in an article dated 1 March 2026, and the page is timestamped 11 March 2026.
- Judge Martina Baxter directed a probation report and adjourned the case to 22 July for finalisation.
- Deegan was remanded on continuing bail.
- Sentence
- Deegan has not yet been sentenced and is awaiting sentencing.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man punched broadcaster Brendan Courtney several times. (thejournal.ie)
- whatDeegan ran at the injured party and punched him, then threw two further punches to the side of his head. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe victim sustained a concussion and a fracture of his eye socket. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe assault happened at Usher's Quay in Dublin city centre. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe victim was walking home along the quays around 9.30pm on 27 February 2025. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationDeegan contacted gardaí voluntarily on 5 March 2025 to identify his involvement in the assault. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeDeegan came forward on a signed guilty plea to assaulting the victim causing harm on 27 February 2025. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Martina Baxter directed a probation report and adjourned the case to 22 July for finalisation. (thejournal.ie)
- courtDeegan was remanded on continuing bail. (thejournal.ie)
- otherWhen interviewed by gardaí, Deegan claimed it was self-defence. (thejournal.ie)
- otherDeegan had brought €1,500 to court as a gesture of remorse. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Mar2026Man who punched broadcaster Brendan Courtney to be sentenced
Reports the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing: Deegan's guilty plea, his voluntary contact with gardaí, the defence and prosecution submissions, and the adjournment for a probation report to 22 July.
victim, Brendan Courtney, male, irish (judged from name)Brendan Courtneyaccused, Ross Deegan, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ross Deegan