A 50-year-old man has been given a two and a half year suspended sentence after he unintentionally caused the split kidney of an opponent during a five-a-side game.
Petru Pinto, from Tyrrelstown, Dublin, pleaded guilty at court to reckless assault causing harm at an astroturf pitch in Ellenfield Park, Santry.
During a trial on November 30th 2018, the jury failed to reach a verdict on a charge of intentionally assaulting Paul Ceusan causing him harm.
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But on Tuesday, Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Pinto to a suspended two and a half year sentence in prison.
She suspended the term in full on condition that he pay a sum of €5,000 to the victim within three years.
Codd described Pinto's tackle as "dangerous" and "were well beyond the limits expected in the game."
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Pinto's actions on Ceusan were described at a previous hearing. Pinto had a 'heated verbal exchange' with his opponent during the football match.
Pinto then ran in the direction of Mr Ceusan and jumped with his knees raised.
His knees collided with Mr Ceusan's torso, where he suffered Grade 4 renal injury, also known as a "split kidney".
Mr Ceusan said that he had lost 25 per cent of kidney function as a result of the tackle, and now suffers from high blood pressure.
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He also said his medical costs were €1,350, and claimed he was not able to work for around 20 weeks after sustaining the injury.
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