Kildare publican lost eye following vicious assault

A MAN who assaulted a 65-year-old Kildare publican was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison with the final nine months suspended.

Patrick O’Brien (40) with an address at Abbey Car Park, Celbridge committed an assault to the co-owner of a local pub on 28 June 2025 after he was asked to leave, and was convicted of assault causing serious harm, assault and criminal damage.

The man came before Naas Circuit Court last week, where it was heard that he punched Mr Gerard O’ Connor causing him to fall over, and said he would “burn the place down”, before punching the man another two times and kicking him in the head outside the Kildrought Pub, Main Street, Celbridge.

After the assault took place, the court heard how the man proceeded to smash Mr O’Connor’s phone in the middle of the street.

Mr O’Brien had identified himself on CCTV footage, which captured the assault, and entered an early guilty plea on 12 May 2026.

Judge Elva Duffy said in court that the injured party was “seriously injured” as a result of the “cowardly act”.

She described how he had lost an eye as a result of the attack, which has had a “permanent and profound impact on his life”.

Aside from the anxiety that arises from a dramatic change in his physical appearance, the victim is more concerned with his capacity to continue with his busy life with vision gone in one of his eyes.

Judge Duffy expressed “sympathy and admiration” for how he has been continuing with work and hobbies such as golfing after the assault.

Mr O’Brien offered an apology to Mr O’Connor, and the court heard how his behaviour had been improving while in prison.

After consideration, Judge Duffy imposed a sentence of seven and a half years with the final nine months suspended, provided the defendant keep the peace and engage with the probation service for a period of 12 months after his release.

Mr O’Brien’s sentence will also be backdated to the day he first went into custody.