Barbershop Owner Jailed for Violent Assault on Housemate Prior to Brutal Attack

 A Dublin barbershop owner, currently serving a seven-year prison sentence for a violent attack that left a man with a traumatic brain injury, had previously assaulted his housemate two years earlier, a court has heard.

Craig Maples (29), of Green Briar, Verdemont, Blanchardstown, is serving time for violent disorder and assault causing serious harm to Austin Doherty on Main Street, Mulhuddart, on July 21, 2022. The attack left Mr. Doherty with significant mobility impairments, requiring a wheelchair for long distances, and a traumatic brain injury with lasting effects.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told that in a separate incident, Maples had pleaded guilty last December to assault causing harm to a housemate at a residence in Huntstown, Dublin 15, on January 2, 2020. The attack had such a profound impact on the victim that he later emigrated.

Violent Home Invasion

Derek Cooney BL, prosecuting, outlined that the victim had been asleep in his rented room around 1:30 a.m. when he was awoken by loud voices and slamming doors. Having only recently moved into the house, he did not know Maples by name but called out to ask him to lower the noise.

Maples responded aggressively, coming upstairs, shouting, and banging on the victim’s door. Minutes later, he returned with two other men and forcefully kicked down the door. One of the assailants carried a sock filled with heavy objects, possibly coins, and the three men proceeded to attack the victim.

He sustained multiple blows, resulting in head wounds and a severe arm injury. After calling both the Gardaí and his landlady—who was Maples’ aunt—the victim was again confronted by Maples, who entered his room holding a knife before leaving.

With no Garda response, the injured man took a taxi to the hospital, where he was treated for head wounds and required surgery for a fractured elbow.

Life-Altering Consequences for the Victim

In a victim impact statement, he described how the assault left him homeless and unable to work for an extended period. Once employed as a security guard, he lost his confidence and was forced to sleep on a friend’s couch, unable to claim social welfare due to a lack of a permanent address.

Eventually, he emigrated to Croatia, where he was able to purchase a home, ensuring he would never have to share accommodation again.

While Maples was arrested, the two other attackers were never identified.

Defence and Sentencing

Simon Matthews BL, defending, told the court that Maples had a troubled upbringing, citing his father’s imprisonment for the murder of Maples’ uncle when he was 12 years old. Despite these challenges, Maples had established his own barbershop, Faded, in Mulhuddart, but struggled with addiction to prescription drugs and other substances, as well as mental health issues.

His long-term girlfriend was present in court to support him, and it was noted that he was making progress in custody.

Judge Orla Crowe described the assault as a “brutal and unjustified attack” on someone simply requesting peace in his own rented home. She emphasized that Maples’ response was entirely disproportionate.

She sentenced him to two years and three months in prison, backdating it to when he entered his guilty plea. This effectively meant he would serve no additional time beyond his current sentence, a decision influenced by his reported improvement while in custody.