Man allegedly dislocated other man’s elbow with ‘MMA move’

A man dislocated another man’s elbow with a “martial arts move” that he used on him for an “unknown reason,” it has been alleged.

Leon Tonn (46) is accused of assaulting and injuring the man in an incident at his apartment after they had both been out earlier in the night.

Judge Monika Leech adjourned the case at Dublin District Court for the accused to decide how he intends to plead to the charge.

Mr Tonn, with an address at Caulfield Gate, Griffith Wood, Dublin 9, is charged with assault causing harm to the man at that address.

Garda Pearse O’Loughlin told Judge Leech that the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented to the case being dealt with in the district court, subject to the issue of jurisdiction being considered.

The judge asked for a summary of the proposed prosecution evidence.

Outlining the allegations, the garda said that on September 14, 2022, he went to the Mater Hospital where he met the alleged victim who was being treated for his injuries.

The man alleged the accused had used an MMA (mixed martial arts) wrestling move on his arm which dislocated his elbow.

He alleged he had gone back to Mr Tonn’s apartment after they had been in town that night and “the reason why he did it was unknown”.

When gardaí detained and spoke to Mr Tonn about the incident, he told them he had “defended himself” in relation to the alleged victim.

He was released and a file was sent to the DPP, with the direction returned that the accused should be charged with assault.

Mr Tonn was later arrested and charged at Clontarf garda station.

A medical report was submitted to court which confirmed a diagnosis of a dislocated elbow, with photographs and an X-ray also handed in to court.

Judge Leech asked if the alleged victim had to undertake any other treatment.

The court heard the elbow was “relocated” and set in the hospital on the day and there was no record of any further treatment.

The alleged victim was unfit for work for 10 days after the injury but there was no long-term damage.

Judge Leech accepted jurisdiction, allowing the case to remain in the district court instead of being sent to the circuit court, which has greater potential sentencing powers on conviction.

The judge ordered disclosure of prosecution evidence to the defence and adjourned the case to June 7.

Mr Tonn has not yet indicated how he intends to plead to the charge, which is under Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act