Man who attacked work colleague in the Midlands with meat hook given Probation Act

A defendant who attacked a work colleague while in possession of a meat hook received the benefit of the probation act at Longford District Court in April after he presented €750 to be paid as compensation to his victim.

Leandro Ferreira Souza (36) of 2 Thomond Lodge, Ballymahon, Longford pleaded guilty to 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 Dayton Dos Reis were previously handed in to court. Mr Souza's solicitor, John Quinn, told Judge Bernadette Owens that the defendant never came to Garda attention prior to the incident.

Sergeant Enda Daly said the injured party had declined to make a victim impact statement.

The matter arose at 3:40pm on October 12, 2023 when Gardaí received a report of an assault at Keypak, Rathmore, Ballymahon, Longford.

The investigating officers spoke to the injured party, Mr Dos Reis, who said he was assaulted by a co-worker.

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.

Mr Souza was arrested and interviewed. He admitted striking the injured party over “a family issues”.

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.

Noting that the defendant had made the compensation payment and not come to Garda attention since Judge Owens said she would deal with the matter by use of the Probation Act 1.1.