Advice Needed - May Be Going to Prison

dudara

chump wrote:

Have you packed your bags yet?

Indeed they don't. you should have more cop on, Chump

Vangelis

Everybody makes mistakes, dublinshane.
Now don't say too much on this forum.
Remember it is your business.

Sleepy

DublinShane, it would do you no harm personally (or in the context of your upcoming case ), to attend some AA meetings. Drink obviously doesn't suit you it can land you into this kinda trouble and the judge would probably look quite favourably on an attempt to remove the catalyst that's landed you in this situation.

IonaPaul makes a good point (as always) but you do seem to realise how wrong your actions were. Our emotions can be a fuel of sorts so use the guilt you're feeling in a positive light, try to make things right with whomever you assaulted and tackle your drinking problem. And don't try to claim you don't have a problem with drink, if you'd attack someone badly enough to be in court for it while drunk in a manner you wouldn't have done sober you have a problem with drink.

Chucky the tree

I am not going to be as nice as everyone else.


Personnaly i hope you do end up in prision, fingers crossed you will learn your lesson then. Unlikely though, next time on the drink you will probaly do the same thing.

Anyone who cant handle there drink and does something stupid and blames the drink is a pathetic individual. This is the problem with society today, people never face up to there actions, always come out with some **** excuse.

Odds are the judge will go easy on you, hopefully he wont and you will be punished fairly for the crime's you have committed.If you cant handle you drink you shouldnt be drinking.

luckat

By the way, can anyone recommend any good anger management courses?

(Mind you, a small but significant percentage of those posting on boards could improve their lives by taking one...)

DublinShane's in enough trouble without helpful comments; if he's convicted of this, bang go any chances of getting a work visa for the US, for instance.

DublinShane, you're going to have to think seriously about what kind of work you want to do when you come out, or when this is over one way or another - what kind of life you want to live.

I'd strongly suggest signing up for an anger management course for a start, stopping drinking altogether (plenty of people don't drink) and generally sitting down with some people who have nous and knowledge and planning out a course for your next five years, your next 10 years, your next 15 years, your next 20 years.

When's the trial? Good luck with it - and with whatever follows.

dublinshane

I’ve read all the posts and while some are tough I can see why people feel that way. Before this I would have felt pretty similar. As far as drink is concerned I’m not a huge drinker normally but in this situation put with other circumstances it made me behave out of character. I’m not making any excuses but that’s the reality and I am dealing with the consequences. My other bit of trouble last year wasn’t drink related btw.

Not going to say anymore about the incident or the case – up in court next month and hoping for the best but getting prepared for the worst.

Originally on the post I asked if anybody had any experiences on what to expect in prison. Thanks for all the replies but I would still really appreciate hearing from someone who was there as a prisoner rather than working there or visiting. I know it's a long shot but if there is somebody who has been inside maybe you could PM me if you want to keep it private. Thanks.

Gandhi

Hi DublinShane,

I don't really have any advice for you that has not been mentioned already.

I just want to wish you good luck. Sounds like you are committed to making a better go of it from here on.

- Gandhi

PokerTony

Hi Shane
How will you be pleading, from your posts I suspect it will be guilty. If you're pleading guilty I think the district court judge will unlikely take the case based on the charges and the previous conviction and will send it to the circuit court for arraignment at a future date. When you make your plea (if guilty) a sentence date will be set. This will probably bring you well into the new year so it will give you time to prepare for the sentence.

Just a few tips for the day
-Make sure you wear a suit and tie, it sounds obvious enough but you'd be surprised how many people turn up in air max and a tracksuit. A suit will command more respect from the judge.
-Make sure you convey to the judge how sorry you are for your actions, this is extremely important.
-Bring along as many family and friends as you can so the judge can see your strong family ties.
-Make sure you are in full time employment at the time and if possible I would consider taking up an night course.
-Make restitution to the victim (only contact the victim through your solicitor).
-Show the judge how you have reformed since the incident by going to AA meetings, anger management etc.
-Get as many character witnesses as you can. Prinicpal, teachers, managers, priests etc.

If you have any questions you would like to ask me feel free to.

Best wishes to you. It will all be behind you someday.

LegacyUser

ionapaul wrote:

Hmm, not to rain on anyone's parade, but if a person commits a crime, is warned in court about any future incidents, and goes out and commits another crime, I don't feel it in any way appropriate that the judge takes into account any amount of contrition and regret shown [bold]for his second offence[/bold]. He was warned, he ignored the warning, frankly, if it wasn't a boardster and instead was an individual being written up in the papers, we wouldn't feel the same amount of compassion for them. It is right and proper to feel ashamed for breaking the law after being warned in court and it is right and proper to accept having to pay for and face responsibility for your actions. That is our system, right?

Dublinshane, I hope you get through it all ok and if you are indeed guilty you take something positive away from it all.

i have to agree, if i'm assalted, or one of my friends or family is assalted, i'd want justice.

seeing as it's your second offence, i'd be more dissapointed if you didn't get jail time.

Vangelis

paperclip wrote:

i have to agree, if i'm assalted, or one of my friends or family is assalted, i'd want justice.

seeing as it's your second offence, i'd be more dissapointed if you didn't get jail time.

What kind of comment is this? You're not supposed to fling out your prejudgements about this man's crime here! I'm sure this will insult him deeply and not make him feel any better. That was not the reason he posted this thread!

Beruthiel

lets stick to the topic folks
B

Ph3n0m

While you are all dishing out sympathy for the OP - what about his victim - has anyone given any thought to the victim of the assault?

(apologies if previously discussed)

Hobart

Vangelis wrote:

What kind of comment is this? You're not supposed to fling out your prejudgements about this man's crime here! I'm sure this will insult him deeply and not make him feel any better. That was not the reason he posted this thread!

It's probably made with the same sincerity and opinion as your own. The reasons for the OP starting the thread have long since been forgotten and the thread seems to have drifted into a "hope you get on ok" type love in.

The op has also revealed enough details about the nature of the crime and the charges, which are quite serious if you care to look. In this respect an opinion on his alleged crime would seem to be justified.

If the op is insulted by the comments above, it is probably a lot less painfull for him to go through this supposed hurt, then that of his victim. I have seen little care for his victim from most replies, however most of you seem to have gotten into such a frenzy as to the concern of this convicted criminal, that you are all pratically falling over yourselves to sign up on the visitors list.

I actually wish the op no harm at all, and I do hope his time passes quickly if and when he arrives in prison. I also hope that he realises the effect of his actions on the victim and their family, and that the Judge see's fit to take this into consideration when he passes sentence.


[Edit] Well said above [/Edit]

LegacyUser

Vangelis wrote:

What kind of comment is this? You're not supposed to fling out your prejudgements about this man's crime here! I'm sure this will insult him deeply and not make him feel any better. That was not the reason he posted this thread!

i've been on the receiving end of drunken violence, as i'm sure have alot of people on here, and if they were caught, i'd have no problem with them doing time, i'd expect it.

have you ever been attacked?

chump

luckat wrote:

...
DublinShane's in enough trouble without helpful comments; if he's convicted of this, bang go any chances of getting a work visa for the US, for instance.

What a silly thing to say... for all you know he could have come close to killing somebody. Or causing serious harm. Or burning a house down. Or dealing drugs to children.

Wait up, let's not convict him because we want him to be able to get a visa to the US!

To the OP I don't mean to sound harsh. I realise you've copped that you messed up and its good to see that your movng on and feel remorse.

As for the prison advice, I don't have any. But I hear if you go to one of the lesser security prisons you can bring a thing like playstations in with you. And also bring plenty of books and crosswords and stuff if you're into that

luckat

Sorry, didn't mean to presume, DublinShane, just hope you find your way through this.

Maybe you could send in a text to George Hook's show on Newstalk 106FM and ask the same question, while not having to go on the radio and talk? Maybe you'd get some people with experience of being imprisoned ringing in there?

Chong

This thread is getting pretty vicious , I thought chucky the trees comments were very harsh . I genuinely feel bad for you DublinShane but you know the old addage like the rest of us I aint going to fuel the fire anymore by insulting a man in the gutter its wrong. Best of luck mate but if your convicted make the best of the bad situation.

Ps: Lads and lassies seriously this guy has had it tough , he obviously knows what he has done wrong there is no need at all to continually kick him the proverbials.

dudara

Exactly as WDK said. This man is asking for advice on how to deal with prison. Let's not make comments on the acts that have him facing this predicament. Keep it on track.

dudara

dublinshane

As I said before I myself might have made some of the harsher points above not so long ago so I'm not really going to be too insulted by what is posted here. Have a go if you like but I'm obviously not going to go into any details of what have happened only to say that the other person involved isn't going to be winning any awards for being a great person. This doesn't change that I overstepped the mark and did wrong and have to face the consequences but it is important.

As WDK and dudara have said the reason I posted was to get information on what to expect in prison and still would like to hear from anybody who knows about that!

Shane

Miss Fluff

Khannie wrote:

Did you know the person involved? Might be an idea to try and make your peace with them before the court date.

No offence Khannie, but it would be SERIOUSLY inadvisable to do that. Speak to your solicitor before even thinking of doing something like that. Could potentially jeopardise everything for you.

Tobias Greeshman

Miss Fluff wrote:

Speak to your solicitor before even thinking of doing something like that. Could potentially jeopardise everything for you.

Someone already suggested that if you did want to do this, that you should go through your solicitor, in that case you would be less likely to jeopardise your case.

Although this topic seems to have strayed from what the OP wanted to know, about what prison life would be like and not for legal advise, which seems to be what a lot of people tend to have given here.

Fenian

I've never been to prison, not in Ireland anyway, but a few of my mates have been.

What to expect, well first off when you get there, the screws will give you trousers to small, jumper too small and a broken radio.
You'll probably have a few knackers trying to have a laugh off ya, saying they'll take a s hit in your boots and on your bed etc.
What ever you do do not act afraid or they'll really go at you.
Remember it's not as bad as most people think, there are some sound people in gaol aswell.
Do not try and act the hard man in there because you'll get your head kicked in.
Just try and stay out of trouble, don't walk around thinking you own the place, don't let people walk all over you and you should be fine.

Hope that helps, good luck.

Vangelis

My point is: Dublinshane has not asked anyone here to make him feel guilty about his actions! He allready DOES. Now, stop this "Have you ever been assaulted?". That's just irritating. (But if you really want an answer: Yes, I have been assaulted - sexually assaulted! I bear no grudge against the perpretrator. Wanting revenge is no solution.) There's no need to drag him deeper down in the muck than he allready is!

Khannie

Miss Fluff wrote:

No offence Khannie

None taken. We're all prone to offering crap advice.

Miss Fluff wrote:

but it would be SERIOUSLY inadvisable to do that. Speak to your solicitor before even thinking of doing something like that. Could potentially jeopardise everything for you.

I did mean through the solicitors (should have been clearer). Could you elaborate though? I'm intrigued.

chump

Vangelis wrote:

Yes, I have been assaulted - sexually assaulted! I bear no grudge against the perpretrator. Wanting revenge is no solution.) There's no need to drag him deeper down in the muck than he allready is!

You bear no grudge against the perpetrator?
Is it even human to have that response to such a horrifc event?

I'm not so sure that's a good thing...

dudara

Last Warning

The next poster to wander off topic on this thread gets banned.

We are not discussing victim's feelings here. Start another thread in humanities if you want to discuss that topic.

dudara

dublinshane

Fenian – I have to say apart from the whole being locked up and away from friends and family I’m worried most about the first few days when you are the new boy in this situation. I know you can’t show fear or it will be picked up on and you will probably get a lot of hassle but at the same time I wouldn’t want to do anything that would get me to the attention of the guards. As someone said I hope that if this happens I can more or less keep to myself for the first while until I see how things happen. I wouldn’t be surprised at a bit of stick at the start but realise that you have to handle things yourself as I’m sure grassing to the guards wouldn’t do much good.

I suppose that it’s a lot better if you have to be in prison to be there at home rather than somewhere else – wonder if the foreign people in jail get a worse time than Irish people – I’m guessing that anything that makes you different isn’t good. Had reason to be in Tallaght Hospital a while ago and there was a black guy there waiting in A&E handcuffed to a guard. He was getting a hard time from some of the other people waiting so can’t imagine it would be easy inside for whatever he was there for.

Chong

Jeez everytime I go up to tallaght hospital which is about 3 times a year, that black guy is always there. He is always gettin a hard time.

tirl

Hi Shane
Is this new crime related to the last one? and do you have a probation officer, if not get your solicitor to suggest that a probation officer is assigned to your case and get them to do a report, where they will take into consideration your remorse, if you are currently working etc and judges normally go with the recommendations of PO's
T

LegacyUser

DublinShane wrote:

I'm definitely not the prison type but I'm sure that's what the guys involved with the Brian Murphy attack thought too. I've had time to think about how I ended up in this situation over the past few weeks and if I manage to get away without going to jail I'll be the most grateful guy around. I've learned my lesson big time and hope the judge will take that into account.

First of all, it's very easy to kick a man when he's down, and it's very easy to criticise someone for their mistakes if you havn't made them yourself. But for any situation, there are circumstances, and sometimes, people can not handle these circumstances, as well as they would have liked. It's a learning process, and shane appears to be a very genuine, very remorsefull individual, and it seems it was very out of character.

Shane, I too had a simular experience, I wasn't the type of person you would usually associate with these kind of actions, but I'll give the exact scenario so peple may better understand how therse things can happen.

(Firstly I would like to point out I realise I am 100% in the wrong here, I take full responsability for my actions, Im just trying to show my scenario to help people understand circumstances)

One night me and a couple of mates had a few beers too many, and what started as some friendly banter between two groups of lads in a night club turned quit vicious, and (stupid bouncers) through a few of us out at the same time, onto the street, and looked on (as it was outside the club) as a scuffle broke out.

I got into a fight with one of them, and unfortunatly gave him some serious (but not life threatining) injurys. He had a bruised head and jaw, and a black eye.

I have no idea where this came from, as I had never thrown a punch before in my life. However this all began in a club that served us 5 euro cocktails all night, then threw us out onto the street together and washed there hands of hit and made no attempt to stop it. They should have thrown us out seperate or interviend in the fight as it was 10 feet away. I feel they have a moral obligation.

I was arrested at the scene, charged with assault, spent the night in the cell, and as I had no injurys, this man was treated as a victim only although he through the first punch (missed, he was drunker than I was), and in court provecation and intoxication are not recognised as a defence.

I later went to court and ended up shelling out 500 euro in compensation, and luckily for me, it was my first and last ever offence, so I was given as a probation act, which means you have a criminal record for 2 years, and if you dont re-offend it is wiped clear.

Now I was an absolute fool for what I did, and I deserved my punishment, but to me that is not justice. Sometimes the "victim" isn't so innocent, and the club allowed a volatile situation come to a boiling point, as if we were still in the club, or if only one group was thrown out, or if we were thrown out seperatly, or if the bouncers had interviend, none of this would have ever happend.

If i had a previous conviction I would have gone to jail.

Trotter

To the OP, any idea when you'll know whats going to happen??, as in when is the case in court? (I dont expect exact dates, just vaguely).

Endurance Man

To the OP, any idea when you'll know whats going to happen??, as in when is the case in court? (I dont expect exact dates, just vaguely).

LOL, why would you care about that?

LundiMardi

i can't believe the amount of crap in this thread...

''Oh dublinshane, you seem like a decent chappy, i hope you pull through'' :rolleyes:

My arse!!!

IMHO - I hope you get what's coming to you.

Rozie

LundiMardi wrote:

i can't believe the amount of crap in this thread...

''Oh dublinshane, you seem like a decent chappy, i hope you pull through'' :rolleyes:

My arse!!!

IMHO - I hope you get what's coming to you.

So it's not just my topics you troll, then. Show some sympathy.

Anyway, I think the "Justice" system can be really terrible. It's based on Vengance rather than logic. Whenever anyone uses the phrase "Justice" in these type of scenarios, they mean revenge.

Being cut of from the outside world is a terrible thing and very often doesn't solve anything.

I wish you the best of luck Shane and it's such a shame bad things happen to good people, and even more of a shame when it's state enforced. I wish people's emotions came more into this, with proper psychologists and therapists actually trying to sort out the problem instead of getting vengence and upholding rules for the sake of upholding them.

Just be thankful you don't live in the US Pretty messed up system they have there. Things being in black and white is the main problem with the law there, and perhaps in most countries - circumstance isn't given the weight it should be given.

What I suggest you do when you're in Prison is, write about what happened to you, and the situation you found yourself in. Your feelings on what happened to you, how you felt the justice system treated you, your friends, your family, the victim if there is one, and how you think they feel. Even if you don't go to Prison, it's still an idea. Capture all your emotions and experiences so you know how all this effected you, and what to do and not to do again.

When you're done, feel free to share it with the world, or with us.

chump

Rozie wrote:

So it's not just my topics you troll, then. Show some sympathy.

Anyway, I think the "Justice" system can be really terrible. It's based on Vengance rather than logic. Whenever anyone uses the phrase "Justice" in these type of scenarios, they mean revenge.

How do they mean vengeance? What does justice mean?

Being cut of from the outside world is a terrible thing and very often doesn't solve anything.


It's not a good thing, but is that a bad thing?

I wish you the best of luck Shane and it's such a shame bad things happen to good people, and even more of a shame when it's state enforced.

Who's a good person, what's the bad thing?
Being punished for a dangerous and unlawful act is a bad thing?... and even worse because instead of vigilanties carrying out a punishment we have regulated state enforcement?

I wish people's emotions came more into this, with proper psychologists and therapists actually trying to sort out the problem instead of getting vengence and upholding rules for the sake of upholding them.

You want to spend our countries entire resources paying for minor criminals to undergo expensive psychological examinations, whereas what alot of them might need is a good kick up the arse?

Just be thankful you don't live in the US Pretty messed up system they have there. Things being in black and white is the main problem with the law there, and perhaps in most countries - circumstance isn't given the weight it should be given.


Circumstance? Drunkeness? Fit of rage?

What I suggest you do when you're in Prison is, write about what happened to you, and the situation you found yourself in. Your feelings on what happened to you, how you felt the justice system treated you, your friends, your family, the victim if there is one, and how you think they feel. Even if you don't go to Prison, it's still an idea. Capture all your emotions and experiences so you know how all this effected you, and what to do and not to do again.

When you're done, feel free to share it with the world, or with us.

Did you write a Leaving Cert essay on this sh!te? Or do you plan to?

LundiMardi

Rozie wrote:

So it's not just my topics you troll, then. Show some sympathy..

So i see you're still bitter cos you're ****e... Do me a favour, don't even refer to me in this thread because it's completely pointless....mmk?

Rozie wrote:

I wish you the best of luck Shane and it's such a shame bad things happen to good people,

Have you read the thread at all?

Nevyn

Lundi
Banned for 1 weekd ro personal insults.

Chump you are being warned re personal instults and off topic posting.
a reocurrance will get you banned.

hepcat

To the OP - again, I've never been there but know one or two who have. They haven't emerged from the experience scarred or anything, but have that experience with them. Prison is crap, but if you keep you head, its most definitely do-able. Take what you can from it, as in courses/training. Stay healthy and away from any sh*te, and try and give up the smokes - but not the end of the world if you don't. Try roll-ups - a pack of tobacco lasts ages compared to cigs. If it happens it will be a life experience - part of your life. But in the bigger scheme of things, it does not have to affect your future prospects badly - unless you are thinking corporate / gov job and bleached-white lifestyle. Deal with it, and come out a bigger person.

Trotter

Endurance Man wrote:

LOL, why would you care about that?

Because Im wondering how the long the guy is going to be kept in suspense. The waiting is something that I dont think Id handle well!

dublinshane

Guestposter – Thanks for posting your experiences. I have to say that your situation is similar enough to mine so it was good to see that somebody has a good idea of how things that you don’t expect can happen. I don’t know if you at any stage you had to deal with the prospect of ending up in jail because of that – probably not if it was you’re your first offence - but that has obviously been the worst part for me. You said at the end of the post that you would have got jail if it hadn’t been your first offence so that is where we have a difference. Were you in District Court or Circuit Court? Hope things have turned out well and I hope that at the end of the 2 years you have a clear record.


Trotter – Coming up in the District Court later this month. The case might be heard there or it could be sent to the Circuit Court (more serious). If it gets heard in the District Court it will probably be dealt with in November or so – if it is the circuit court it is more complex and it would probably be early next year when it comes up although there would be a few days in court before then. The waiting is hard to handle. In one way I want things to hurry up to put me out of the worry and to allow me move on but obviously I want to put off the day when I get sentenced as I know that I will probably end up in prison and have to cope with that. It just is on my mind all the time and it is hard to concentrate on much else.

Hepcat – Well I always thought that I could achieve whatever I wanted in terms of jobs but probably need to be more realistic now. I hope I could continue with what I am doing now but it may not be possible. If I end up in there I think I will use the time to do some sort of a trade thing as I think if things go badly and I have problems getting work later on it would be easier to work for a small business or I could do something on my own. Maybe a bit old to be learning a trade but I’m sure it would be useful in any case.

Loads of people are mentioning the smoking. Don’t think I am in the right frame of mind to give up now (smoking more lately) – thought most people in prison smoked anyway! Never really tried roll ups before but I suppose they might have to do.

Rozie – Good suggestion I am spending time writing stuff down and if the worse happens might do that. I have found out that there isn’t much out there for people in my situation so I could do something about that. To be honest, I am not that angry with ‘the system’ but maybe feel that’s its unfair that I have been caught two times when I’ve screwed up while others can get away with worse things over and over again without being caught and getting punished.

Victor

dublinshane wrote:

Loads of people are mentioning the smoking. Don’t think I am in the right frame of mind to give up now (smoking more lately) – thought most people in prison smoked anyway! Never really tried roll ups before but I suppose they might have to do.

If you are "good" in prison you are allowed about €5/week pocket money to cover personal hygiene items and luxuries. Whats a packet of cigarettes these days? Pushing €7?

dublinshane

Things have gone well for me in the past week or so. Was in court and it turns out that the case is being taken by the District Court. As you may have guessed I pleaded guilty and now will be sentenced next month. So relieved that this means that the chance of a long sentence are gone (now 1 year max) but have to deal with the chance that I could actually be going to prison in 5 weeks. Anyway it all means that whatever happens this will all be behind me sooner than I feared and allows me to think about the future again. Thanks for all the advice - much appreciated.

blahblah06

thats great shane. it would be great to hear about what happens. dont forget if you need to chat to anyone or need a penpal to keep the time going feel free to pm me

LegacyUser

Unreg User wrote:

They should have thrown us out seperate or interviend in the fight as it was 10 feet away. I feel they have a moral obligation.

I agree, maybe they should have had the sense to through one bunch of hooligans out the front and the other out the back. I don't agree with you saying that bouncers have a "moral obligation" to stop drunken brawl. Sorry, but they are employed to watch the door and the people who enter and leave .. not wrestle drunks. Plus .. they served you cocktails .. you are big boys, old enough to get into a club .. old enough and wize enough to regulate your drink .. so as not to let these sort of brawls occur in the first place.

Might seem rough .. sorry.

bungeecork

dublinshane wrote:

(...) I could actually be going to prison in 5 weeks(...)

(posted October 10)

I haven't seen this mentioned yet, and the OP didn't ask about it, but is Internet access available in ROI prisons?

dublinshane

I assumed there wouldn't be given that there are rules about phone calls and everything else but it would be great if it was.

I only have another week to find out what I am going to get so I'm pretty worried at the moment but at least if the worse happens I will know how long it's going to be and can start counting down the weeks or whatever. For a while I wanted the time to come quickly to get it over and done with but now that it is so close I'm dreading each day.

Thanks for the posts and PMs over the last weeks - I have found some of the stuff really helpful and have taken the advice given as best I can. If things go great and I get off I'll post here - if not, it might be a while.

johnnyrotten

Just keep the head down and chin up.
You may not even get sent down
Best of Luck Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave

How does that work? Keeping the head down, and the chin up?

Slutmonkey57b

Unreg User wrote:

(Firstly I would like to point out I realise I am 100% in the wrong here, I take full responsability for my actions, Im just trying to show my scenario to help people understand circumstances)

I got into a fight with one of them, and unfortunatly gave him some serious (but not life threatining) injurys. He had a bruised head and jaw, and a black eye.

I have no idea where this came from, as I had never thrown a punch before in my life. However this all began in a club that served us 5 euro cocktails all night, then threw us out onto the street together and washed there hands of hit and made no attempt to stop it. They should have thrown us out seperate or interviend in the fight as it was 10 feet away. I feel they have a moral obligation.


Now I was an absolute fool for what I did, and I deserved my punishment, but to me that is not justice. Sometimes the "victim" isn't so innocent, and the club allowed a volatile situation come to a boiling point, as if we were still in the club, or if only one group was thrown out, or if we were thrown out seperatly, or if the bouncers had interviend, none of this would have ever happend.

If i had a previous conviction I would have gone to jail.

Why exactly should the staff of the club have intervened in the fight? Why should they risk getting injured to protect a buch of arguing drunkards? You're complaining they served you alcohol all night - big deal. I've been out drinking all night and never attacked anyone. The club didn't "allow" anything to happen - they dealt with a potentially dangerous situation as best they could - by removing the troublemakers from their premesis and protecting the innocent members of the public and the staff of the club from being caught up in your fight. The bouncers didn't protect you - they protected the people who needed protecting, which is exactly what they should have done.

Vangelis

dublinshane,

Yesterday I read an article on unison.ie that an inmate in Mountjoy Prison was stabbed by another inmate in the prison yard. And I thought about you.
I don't mean to make you worried. Just be careful in there and with whom you socialise.

All the Best!
Vangelis