Man who attacked his friend must stay sober

A STUDENT who assaulted his friend causing him harm has been given a section of the Probation Act that is technically a conviction at Sligo District Court. Twenty-eight-year-old Kieron Harrington, formerly of Ballytivnan Hostel, Ballytivnan, had pleaded guilty to charges that he assaulted Garreth Ferguson causing him harm at Ballytivnan Hostel on July 30, 2018, an earlier sitting heard. He also pleaded guilty to refusing to comply with the direction of a peace officer on August 13, 2020, at Ballytivnan. His case was put back to last Thursday’s date, where the court might consider a supervision order, the previous sitting heard.

Defence Solicitor Tom MacSharry said the defendant had a “good probation report”. He had no previous convictions. Mr MacSharry said the assault causing harm was on a good friend.

The defendant was very sorry, was not drinking and would not be drinking.

Kieron Harrington told the court he was taking his medication and was assessed as being at a very low risk of re-offending.

The defendant added that “both were drunk” during the altercation.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said the assault had come from a drunken brawl between two former friends.

He added that this type of assault was serious but this one “was an exception and it was not easy to get to the bottom of what happened”.

The Probation Service felt that it was unlikely that the court would be dealing with the defendant again.

The Probation Act was given on the basis that the defendant be of sober habits and take his prescribed medication for a period of two years. He was released on his own bond of €100.

The defendant told the court he had not drunk since the last offence and the only drug he was taking was his medication.