Mercedes driver punches kind Dublin motorist after social welfare rage meltdown
Henrikas Savickas, 43, had denied assault causing harm to Gregory Murphy at Kevin Street Lower, on November 23 last, but was found guilty by Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court yesterday.
She noted that Lithuanian-born Savickas of Park West Pointe, Ballyfermot, Dublin had no prior convictions and now works as a warehouse manager. He apologised after the verdict.
Judge Finan said he let his anger get the better of him over the social welfare issue but held that he could be spared a criminal record and a sentence if he brought €2,000 to court for Mr Murphy, who suffered a painful cut lip and swelling after the attack.
At the end of the hearing, Mr Murphy told the court, "I accept the apology. We all have days like that, and I wish him luck in the future."
Mr. Murphy said he had been driving at around 11:20 am in bumper-to-bumper traffic as lanes merged and noticed Savickas's car trying to force its way in front of him. There was no room, but he let Savickas's Mercedes come in front of his own.
He recounted that the accused then got out, and he thought he must have been getting something from the boot of his car. Mr Murphy said he had his car window open.
Savickas came up to him and delivered "a significant punch" through the window, leaving him "in shock and pain," before he walked back to his own car. Mr Murphy called gardaí, who advised him to get a picture of the defendant's car, which he did.
He went to the nearest station within minutes, and pictures were taken of his facial injury. He told the court that there was also swelling, and he could not eat for a few days. The victim also changed his role in work that involved driving as a result of the encounter with Savickas.
Garda Katie Burke spoke to him minutes later and saw the wound. In cross-examination with defence counsel Barry Lysaght, he denied that he had been gesticulating at the accused.
That was part of the defence when Savickas testified and said that while he had used colourful language, he was adamant he had not hit Mr Murphy. However, Judge Finan did not accept that version.
His barrister said his client, who has lived in Ireland for 20 years, was going through stress over his social welfare payment getting cut, but has since obtained employment.
Judge Finan praised Mr Murphy for his refreshing candour and told him he had done the right thing in going to the gardaí. She also noted that the accused had not come to further Garda attention and that the prosecuting officer liked to think that "things got the better of him that day"
The case was adjourned until October 31.
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