W2C-002 Belfast Telegraph 2-1.txt
Love rival had ear bitten off Rosie Cowan

A West Belfast man bit off the ear of his wife's former lover in a "crime of passion" showdown, a court heard today.

Desmond McAteer was given a two year suspended prison sentence at the city's Crown Court when he admitted attacking his rival involved in the love triangle with his wife.

McAteer (35), of Norglen Road, Turf Lodge, who is now reconciled with his wife, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to her "philandering" lover last October.

And the court was told that the victim's ear could have been saved - but he failed to take it with him to the hospital.

Showdown

The showdown between the two love rivals happened in the early hours of the morning, when the victim was woken by someone banging on his door.

He opened the door to find a woman who asked him to speak to McAteer's wife, Philomena, who was in his garden. He refused, saying he wanted nothing more to do with her.

McAteer appeared and attacked the man, knocking him down. When he got to his feet again McAteer grabbed him and bit half his ear off.

The lawyer told the court the injured party went to hospital where he was told his ear could have been sown back on if he had brought it with him, but it was not found until the next day.

Assaults

Defence counsel said the assault was "a crime of passion", which had arisen out of McAteer's ongoing marital difficulties and was "not assisted in any way by the philandering of the injured party".

He said McAteer had already served a six month prison sentence for two assaults on his wife, and in his view, this was part of the same situation.

The lawyer said the father of four was now reconciled with his wife and searching for a job.

Judge John Petrie said although the offence was very serious he felt it would be unjust to jail McAteer again as he had already served a sentence in connection with this ongoing dispute.
