Longford man who kicked flatmate "all over his body and face" during "savage battering" told to pay €14,000 in compensation

Maksims Sivijs (26), with an address listed at 3B Killashee Street, Longford, appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson at a recent sitting of Longford Circuit Court, where evidence was heard of the assault, which occurred between August 6 and August 7, 2021.

Sergeant Clement Cuniffe told the court that the injured party attended at Longford Garda Station with bruising to his right eye, injuries to his nose and complaints of head pain.

“He said he was assaulted by his flatmate in their Killashee Street apartment,” said Sgt Cuniffe. An ambulance was called and photographs were taken of the man’s injuries.

The injured party reported that there was an argument that night after the accused had consumed a significant amount of alcohol. The pair had been living together for three months at the time.

The man had returned home to the apartment to find Mr Sivijs drinking. The accused persuaded the injured party to join him but then became agitated over the course of the night before subjecting the injured party to what Judge Johnson labelled “a very savage battering”.

The injured party, who was kicked “all over his body and face” suffered a fracture to his nose, which resulted in continuing sinus issues.

“The victim impact statement is extremely understated,” said Judge Johnson. “The main concern is he has to undergo surgery to correct his sinus injury and doesn’t have the money to pay for it.”

He said that this was “a very serious assault” with “very serious violence”. However, Judge Johnson noted that this behaviour was very much “out of character” for the accused, who had brought a sum of €2,000 to court as a first instalment in respect of compensation.

“The reason he offended is because he has no control when he drinks. While he has reduced his alcohol, I am absolutely satisfied that he has to stop drinking,” said Judge Johnson.

He sentenced Mr Sivijs to two years and six months in prison, suspending the sentence in its entirety for a period of five years.

He ordered that the €2,000 be paid in compensation forthwith, with three further instalments of €4,000 to be paid on October 10, annually for the next three years, totaling €14,000.