Longford assault accused 'saw red' over pictures that were posted on social media

A defendant who attacked a work colleague while in possession of a meat hook has been directed to return before Longford District Court in April with €750 in compensation for his victim.

Leandro Ferreira Souza (36) of 2 Thomond Lodge, Ballymahon, Longford faces an assault charge arising from a workplace incident.

Judge Bernadette Owens was told the defendant hit the injured party on the arm with a meat hook in the attack. Photographs of the injuries sustained by Mr Dos Reis were previously handed in to court. Mr Souza's solicitor, Diarmaid Quinn, said his client was entering a guilty plea to the matter.

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Sergeant Enda Daly said the prosecution did not have a medical report at present as the injured party had not made themselves available to provide a victim impact statement.

Sgt Daly said that at 3:40pm on October 12, 2023 Gardaí received a report of an assault at Keypak, Rathmore, Ballymahon, Longford.

The investigation officers spoke to the injured party, Dayton Dos Reis who said he was assaulted by a coworker.

Mr Dos Reis said he was hit on the arm and head with a meat hook and sustained minor injuries, a small cut to his arm and head, but did not require an ambulance. The injured party told the officers he was dating the suspects ex partner.

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Mr Souza was arrested and interviewed. He admitted striking the injured party over “a family issue”. He explained that he had two children with his ex partner and alleged that Mr Dos Reis was posting pictures of his children on social media to aggravate him.

Mr Quinn said his client “saw red” and “took matters into his own hands” after he believed he was being “taunted online”. The solicitor said Mr Souza “accepts it was not the correct course of actions”.

Mr Quinn explained that as part of his job his client has the meat hook in his possession at all times. He insisted that while Mr Souza hit the injured party with the meat hook in his hand he did not intentionally hit Mr Dos Reis with the implement.

The defendant has lived in Ireland for seven years and brought €250 to the court as compensation for the victim.
Judge Owens noted the facts and the early plea, but described it as “a serious matter, particularity as it occurred in the workplace”.

The judge directed that before the matter was concluded Mr Souza would have to bring €750 in compensation to court, and adjourned the matter to April 8.