Addict who bit part of man’s ear off claims he ‘found God’

AN addict who bit part of a man’s ear off after breaking into his home has since found God, a court has heard.

The victim, Patrick Lonergan, of Marlfield, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, is now on a waiting list for reconstructive surgery on his ear as a result of the incident. A medical report outlined how he has also suffered ‘significant psychological trauma’.

Anthony Keating, 50, of Morrisson’s Road, Waterford city, was found guilty in July at Clonmel Circuit Court of assault causing serious harm, and the case was adjourned to yesterday for sentencing.

‘I have God in my life now,’ the defendant told Judge Thomas Teehan, after saying he was very sorry for what happened on the night of March 28, 2016.

The court heard how Keating has been living in the Remar Recovery Home near Thurles since the trial and has been dealing with his alcohol and drug addictions.

Garda Michael Costello said Mr Lonergan was sitting in his home at Marlfield outside Clonmel at about 10.30pm on the night of the incident, when he heard his front window being broken. The garda outlined how, when Mr Lonergan went outside, an altercation occurred.

‘Patrick Lonergan says that Anthony Keating held him down and bit him on the ear, removing part of it,’ Garda Costello told the court.

Keating had 15 previous convictions, dating back to 1986 for offences including assault, theft, criminal damage and burglary.

His co-accused in the case was sentenced on a previous court date to a year-and-a-half in prison, for assault causing harm.

Judge Teehan said he will conclude sentencing in the case at Nenagh Circuit Court on March 6.