The victim of what he termed "a pre-meditated and vicious assault" has said that there is "no escape from the torture" he continues to suffer both physically and mentally.
Martin McAllister was reading his victim impact statement in the sentencing of Eugene Hanratty Senior (63) at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court this week after Hanratty of Castleblayney Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh was convicted by a jury following a trial last month.
He had pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm at in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan on November the 24th, 2012. During court proceedings, Mr McAllister said that the "pre-meditated" and vicious assault had a devastating effect on his life both physically and mentally. He said medical reports before the court "substantiated" the physical injuries.
He said he had multiple broken bones in his face, both his eye sockets were broken and he has been left with a permanent loss of his peripheral vision. He has been treated numerous times but without success and the loss of his peripheral vision "impinges on my everyday life".
Mr McAllister, said that as a musician, he struggles now to read musical notation. He said the nerves in his face were also damaged by the injuries to his eyes and he has been left with excruciating pain to the left side of his face.
He underwent surgical nerve decompression in 2014 and had a titanium implant fitted below his left eye which altered his sensation down the left side of his face. Mr McAllister said this has left him with constant issues while eating and drinking.
He also described problems with his sinuses as a result and said he continues to have problems with injuries he received to his right arm. Meanwhile, Detective Garda Paul Everard told the court that on the Saturday afternoon of the attack, Mr McAllister and his wife were driving at 4.20pm in Castleblayney on their way to Crossmaglen when a vehicle approached with its full headlights on.
Mr McAllister told the trial that he felt his path was blocked by the other vehicle and he couldn't drive passed it. He then recognised the occupants of the car as being father and son, Eugene Hanratty Junior and Eugene Hanratty Senior.
Hanratty Snr approached and began an assault on Mr McAllister in his vehicle during which time he was punched a number of times in the head, pulled down by the hair and kicked until he was dragged out of the vehicle.
Counsel said that this trial was the third trial in the case. The first trial resulted in a disagreement and the jury couldn't reach a verdict, the second trial collapsed after the jury was discharged. Last October the jury unanimously convicted Hanratty Snr following one-hour deliberations.
