Englishman Sent to Prison for Failing to Pay Assault Victim

URGENT UPDATE: An Englishman has been sentenced to prison after failing to pay compensation to his assault victim, a condition of his previously suspended sentence. Mark Fail, aged 37, was sentenced today at Clonakilty District Court in Co Cork for an “unprovoked and random attack” that occurred in September 2023.

Judge Joanne Carroll triggered Fail’s six-month suspended sentence due to his lack of effort in compensating the victim, who was owed €5,000. Fail had previously been convicted of assault causing harm, with Judge Treasa Kelly handing down the suspended sentence for the brutal attack that left the victim injured and traumatized.

During the incident, Fail approached the victim and began punching him in the head. Despite the victim dropping to his knee, Fail continued the assault, kicking him in the ribs. The victim suffered a bloody nose and severe bruising, requiring hospitalization.

In a harrowing victim impact statement, the injured party revealed he has been grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since the attack. He expressed that he now lives in constant fear for his safety, unable to go out alone at night.

Judge Carroll emphasized the serious nature of the assault, stating that Fail’s failure to compensate the victim warranted the activation of the suspended sentence. Defense solicitor Plunkett Taaffe acknowledged the court’s decision, underscoring the severity of the situation.

As this story develops, it highlights the urgent need for accountability in violent crime cases and the lasting impact such incidents can have on victims. The community in Clonakilty is left to grapple with the implications of this unprovoked attack and the judicial response to it.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.