I am outraged
I am outraged. I can barely put into words the trouble I’m having internalizing this. Apparently a fellow blogger in Dublin Ireland was out with his girlfriend and was accosted by a bunch of thugs who wanted his cash money. He fought them and kicked the ass of the guy who pulled a knife on him. Now he is in jail. Yea, WTF(?) was my reaction to this story also.
Please excuse my French but HOW THE FUCK did that happen?
If someone pulls a knife on me they are going to have their liver kicked out and then I’ll testify at their sentencing hearing.
I really and honestly do not understand the thinking behind this sentence imposed upon this guy.
Here where I live, in Pennsylvania, USA, if I am accosted and I feel, at that moment, that my, or anyone around me, life is in danger then I have the right to use ANY force needed to foil that attack.
That makes sense to me.
I’m sorry but the whole idea of someone defending themselves against attack and then being charged with assault make no sense whatsoever.
Below you will find the post that this guy wrote just after the incident; in it’s entirety as well as the link to his blog.
Please comment because, for real, I don’t understand why he is in jail and the scum who pulled a knife on him is out drinking Mangers and robbing other folk.
Literally. One thing I have never been accused of is being a gentlemean, but if I feel a woman is being threatened, or indeed any friend of mine, regardless of gender, I’ll step in. One swift screw-jab to the temple is normally enough to at least incapacitate the perpetrator, if not outright TKO them.
So it was with some surprise that I encountered my first fight in several months when Cassie and I were at the Savoy a few nights past … we were out seeing Iron Man – great show, highly recommended – and afterwards we were planning to head to Eddie Rocket’s before getting a taxi back home.
So we expected no trouble, but passing the GPO three scumbags in white tracksuits appeared.
‘Areet bud? Having a good night?’ I responded coolly.
‘Yeah, fine so far.’
We walked on, but clearly the scummers thought to themselves here’s a guy with his girlfriend, easy pickings. What they didn’t know was that I had, like €20 in my pocket. Wasn’t even worth mugging.
‘Bud, ya got any change? I just need a few bob.’ Flanked by his homies, he ran ahead of us. I noted they were trying to block us in, and started looking for ways to run. I could throw Cassie over my shoulder and peg it if needs be.
‘Ah sorry, can’t help you.’ I saw a flash and to my horror realised the fucker was wielding a wee switchblade. Shit.
‘I wasn’t asking bud. Now hand over that money a’ yours and your pretty little girlfriend won’t get cut up.’
While it was over in a flash, it happened in seconds, it seemed like a lot longer to me. I analysed the threat; three guys, one definitely armed, no Gardai in sight, the chance I’d get shived for twenty bob … fuck that. I’m not spilling blood for no reason. Not mine anyway. That fucker’s going down.
‘Reet man, decision time.’ He took a step towards Cassie. That step was all I needed. I burst towards him, threw my leading hand in to premptively parry a knife strike, and as I parried, I pivoted on my heel and brought my right hand up and literally smashed it into his jaw with the base of my palm. Continuing the strike, I brought my left hand back, smashed that palm into his face, then started in with elbow strikes to the face before finishing him off with a swift knee to the groin. Having dispatched him, I saw his mates try to leg it. As my instructor would say, don’t follow a fight; finish any already started. Looking down at the wheezing form on the ground, I kicked his shiv onto the road, stood over him, and spat on him.
‘Shitbag. Did you really fucking think I’d give you heathen scum money?’ Cassie was in pure shock, like nothing had registered since these guys first accosted us. I have to admit, I was running on pure adrenaline too, and later on I collapsed into bed without saying a word when it wore off. That was later though.
Deciding to finish the fight off, I drew back my knee and slammed it into the side of his head, sending him tumbling, probably unconscious to the ground. I grabbed Cassie’s arm, and with a quick glance to make sure he was on the ground, legged it to a taxi and didn’t say a word until the following morning.
Few days later a summons arrives for me in the post. Apparently the Alpha Scum caught my name and reported me for assault to the Gardai … next week I have to go to a sitting of the District Court. Dave’s representing me … should be interesting …
You gave the reason yourself. You said “then I have the right to use ANY force needed to foil that attack“.
In this country the law states you may only use reasonable force, but they don’t define what that is. A judge could decide that looking at a mugger cross-eyed was undue force and lock you up.
Brian D’s account of kneeing him in the head would be enough to show that undue force was used, as the bloke had already been disarmed.
It’s insane, but that’s the way the law works in this Nanny State country.
Did the guy have any previous convictions? He said he hadn’t been in a fight “in several months” which doesn’t sound too great.
On the other hand, all bets are off when you pull a knife on a person. The scabby wee switchblade thug deserved a good thrashing. What a bold crew too, right outside the blooming GPO! It boggles the mind what some people feel no compunction about doing.
He had two prior assault charges outstanding so I guess they threw the book at him. He’s no angel Brian. I’m impressed by the swiftness of the Irish judicial system tho! Would have taken months to convict him here.
Where does he say heis in jail ? What sentence imposed on the guy? Are you making shit up or what ?
Mr. P, click on the link to his blog and your questions shall be answered.
OK I see. Still, sounds a little suspicious. Although the principle of outrage sounds fair enough.
Hmm, I think Granddad’s point is well made. Anyone doing that here would have landed up in jail as well. In SA you may not shoot your attacker even if he is armed with a firearm, if you shoot and kill, you will go to jail for manslaughter or murder, no questions asked. You may not attack, unless you are attacked – yeah, I know, go figure. Given the crime rate in SA this gives one some serious pause for thought.
I think the clincher in Brian’s case is the final kick to the guy’s head. It wasn’t necessary – the guy was down, the others had scarpered. One has to learn to contain the rage, no matter the indignation. Of course, it’s a damned side easier said than done when the adrenalin is rushing like that.
Crickey! I reckon I best be careful! I’ve been wondering why he’s not been in contact with me. Now I know! Yikes!!!
HOLY SHIT! thats not on! typical irish law though, the gardai are afraid of their lives to go against the scumbags and would rather defend and back them up instead OMG! thats so stupid, im outraged and I dont even know this person!! AHHHHH!!! it makes me so ashamed to call myself irish in the state of the justice here, and trust me I know Im from limerick! not the city but county and even from there I know the lack of Gardai initiative, they would pull an ordinary Joe for Tax and pat a known criminal on the back! jesus! Best of luck to our boy tho, if the Judge has even a single brain cell he will see the logic in what had to happen! I know id do it to defend myself and my friends and im a sissy girl and a coward at that but not when family and friends are in danger, that wont happen on my watch!
Incredible story – I guess he should have called the police first. I’d have been like him and thought “lesson learned” and walked away.