A 25-year-old man has told Longford Circuit Court that the last three and a half years have been hell after being assaulted just before Christmas 2018.
The comments were made at the sentence hearing of Denis Hannifin of Curry, Longford, who was convicted of an assault at Longford Shopping centre on his second cousin Denis Mc Ginley.
Following a week long trial in February, Denis Hannifin was convicted of assault, affray and possession and production of a knife at Longford Shopping centre on December 7th 2018.
Mr McGinley reportedly received injuries to his face, chest, arm and back during an INCIDENT.
The confrontation occurred at the entrance to the shopping center before moving into the nearby Lloyd's Pharmacy.
It's alleged that Mr McGinley's sister, Shirley McGinley jnr had been shopping at Tesco in the centre on the 7th of December 2018 at around 7pm, while her brother waited in a car outside.
On encountering the accused in the shop, it's claimed Ms McGinley called her brother and asked him to come and walk her out as she feared for her safety.
Describing the incident to the court, Denis McGinley said he encountered Mr Hannifin at the shopping centre entrance minutes later and a physical altercation took place.
Mr McGinley admitted to 'lashing out' at Denis Hannifin and striking him in the head.
He claims Mr Hannifin then immediately started stabbing him with a knife 7 to 8 inches in length.
Today's sentence hearing, in front of Judge Francis Comerford heard details of the Garda investigation and witnessed cctv of the incident.
Denis Mc Ginley, who was described by the Judge as the initial aggressor in the incident, had his victim impact statement read out by Garda Thomas Fitzmaurice.
He outlined that ever since the incident his life has not been the same and he "genuinely" thought he was going to die.
He claimed his confidence was "shattered" and he was very conscious of a scar on his face and weakness in his side and arm following the incident.
Barry White, defending Mr Hannifin, told the court that a number of testimonials had been handed into court, including a letter from the construction worker.
He outlined the 42 year old protected himself in excess of self defence and is someone who is willing to engage in mediation in relation to this incident and asked the court for clemency.
He outlined that Mr Hannifin was employed as trustee prisoner and was cleaning prison vehicles.
The court also heard details of an alleged video involving Mr Hannifin from jail which the prosecution claimed went against any submission that the accused was a 'model prisoner'.
However Judge Comerford outlined that any submission from either side was not evidence and he could only pass sentence on evidence.
The sentence hearing continues this afternoon.
