Doorwoman Dawn Cleary was attempting to escort Matthew McDonnell from the George when he “kicked off”, punching her in the face several times.

An off-duty garda witnessed the assault and intervened.

McDonnell then continued to act in an aggressive manner, lashing out at both the garda and Ms Cleary. He was taken outside the premises and arrested. Neither victim sought any medical attention, having suffered “just bumps and bruises”, a garda said.

The incident happened on 3 June 2014.

This morning at Dublin District Court, Matthew McDonnell of The Riggins, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to assaulting Dawn Cleary and the garda officer.

Judge Michael Walsh ordered him to pay €500 compensation to each woman and adjourned sentencing.

McDonnell’s solicitor Donal Quigley said the incident was “very much out of character” for the defendant.

McDonnell had an alcohol problem and was a man “with his own demons,” Mr Quigley said. He had been intoxicated and had “no great recollection” of the assaults.

“He cannot explain or put his finger on what happened on the night,”

Judge Walsh said both women had been subjected to “a nasty, vicious and clearly unprovoked assault”.

Adjourning the case, he added that payment of the compensation would “influence the manner in which I am going to dispose of this”.