A judge at the Crown Court in Derry has told a former Irish army soldier that it is inevitable he will go to jail after biting the nose off an Algerian man in the city centre last year.
Barry Fitzgerald, 23, from Doire House in Carrigans pleaded guilty to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent on his 35-year-old victim in an unprovoked attack outside a fast food takeaway in Waterloo Street on 14 April, 2013.
UTV reports that after biting his victim’s nose off, Fitzgerald then spat it onto the floor of the man’s car.
Following his guilty plea to the charge, Fitzgerald resigned from his position in the Irish army last May. He was based at Finner Camp at the time of the offence.
Fitzgerald was released on bail last September pending sentencing this September coming. As part of his bail conditions, he was banned from entering Derry.
However, his solicitor applied to Judge Philip Babington to have the ban lifted.
The barrister said Fitzgerald had been shortlisted for a job interview as a kitchen porter in a local restaurant because he wanted to earn money before he’s sentenced.
Granting the unopposed application, Judge Babington said it was inevitable Fitzgerald would be going to jail.
He said no doubt Fitzgerald would give “full disclosure to his potential employer with regards to his present position.”