Temple Bar Assault: MMA Fighter and Chef Refused Bail After ‘Ferocious’ Attack
Two men have been remanded in custody after appearing before Dublin District Court charged with a brutal assault in Temple Bar last week that has left a man fighting for his life. The attack, described by authorities as “truly vicious, violent and unprovoked,” occurred on Cope Street in the early hours of Wednesday, February 18th.
Leonel Ricci, 28, an Argentinian MMA fighter, and Dominic Smith, 36, an unemployed chef from County Carlow, were refused bail by Judge Máire Conneely. Both men are charged with assault causing harm.
The victim, whose identity was confirmed after Gardaí issued a photograph of a distinctive tattoo on his arm – appearing to be a Scottish flag – remains in critical condition at Beaumont Hospital. His facial injuries were so severe that family members initially identified him only through the tattoo.
Detective Garda Gráinne Collier told the court that Gardaí are recommending the case be escalated to the Circuit Criminal Court for trial by jury, and that further, more serious charges may be forthcoming.
CCTV footage played a key role in the investigation. Gardaí say the footage shows Ricci and Smith walking from Liffey Street to Cope Street. Three minutes later, the victim arrived on an e-scooter. According to Garda Collier, there was no prior interaction or apparent connection between the victim and his attackers.
The assault unfolded in stages. Garda Collier detailed how Ricci initially approached the victim, followed by a brief conversation and the two men walking away. They returned shortly after, engaging in another verbal exchange before Ricci allegedly punched the victim multiple times in the face and head, pushing him to the ground and continuing the assault while holding him down.
Smith then allegedly joined the attack, striking the victim several times in the head. The victim became unconscious, at which point Ricci continued to punch him and stamped on his face three times, followed by a “football style” kick to the head and another stamp.
The violence didn’t end there. Garda Collier alleged that Ricci returned to the scene, drove the e-scooter over the victim’s face, removed his shoes and threw them away, snapped the victim’s right arm, breaking it, and then rifled through his pockets before both men attempted to enter a nearby pub. The entire incident lasted approximately five and a half minutes.
Gardaí arrested Ricci and Smith in Smithfield, Dublin, the following day after recognizing them as matching the descriptions from the CCTV footage.
Ricci, who arrived in Ireland in November, told Gardaí he was a professional MMA fighter supported by family in Italy. He reportedly claimed he believed the victim was a drug dealer and used his MMA skills because “dealers were killing people every day.” He also stated his father is Irish and he hoped to obtain a work visa to train in MMA.
Garda Michael Moore testified that Smith approached the victim aggressively before Ricci initiated the physical attack. He alleged Smith delivered four forceful kicks to the victim’s head while the man was unconscious and was observed shouting at him.
Smith reportedly described himself as an alcoholic who often experiences blackouts. He told Gardaí he is a trained chef who travels throughout Europe for work. When shown the CCTV footage after his arrest, Moore stated Smith appeared “quite taken aback and upset.”
Defence barrister Luke O’Higgins argued that while the incident was serious, there was no reason to deny his client, Smith, bail. However, Judge Conneely refused bail to both men, and they are scheduled to reappear in court on February 27th.
The victim had been receiving treatment at Beaumont Hospital, and while his condition remains critical, the court heard there have been some minor improvements in recent days.
