Man who assaulted local businessman must pay €6,000

DISTRICT COURT WAS TOLD DEFENDANT’S FATHER HAD RECENTLY BEEN LAID OFF BY VICTIM BEFORE LATE-NIGHT ATTACK TOOK PLACE

AN ENNISCORTHY businessman who suffered a serious assault had recently laid off his attacker’s father, a case before the District Court last week heard.

John O’Connor (23) of 52 Gimont Avenue, Enniscorthy, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to Padraig Donohoe in the car park of the old Legends Niteclub in Templeshannon on July 15 of last year.

The court heard that the incident took place at around 2.30a.m. Sgt Victor Isdell said that Mr Donohoe owns property in the area and was carrying out an inspection when he was approached from behind and struck to the head. The defendant then ran from the scene, but was later arrested and admitted the attack.

The court heard that Mr Donohoe lost consciousness as a result of the attack and he received a black eye, cuts and grazes to his face and bruising around his elbow. A victim impact statement from Mr Donohoe was handed into Judge John Cheatle, but was not read aloud.

Sgt Isdell said that while it was a ‘seemingly unprovoked attack’, he said that O’Connor’s father used to work for Mr Donohoe and had recently been let go and that perhaps this had some kind of bearing on the situation.

A barrister speaking on behalf of O’Connor said that this indeed was the case and that his client’s family were going through a difficult time as a result. He did say, however, that O’Connor completely accepts that he took the incorrect steps on the night in question and was not offering any excuse.

The court was then told that O’Connor had no previous convictions and that he was very involved in the local community, coaching local under 12 and under 14 teams in GAA and soccer.

His barrister said that O’Connor was an apprentice electrician and harboured hopes of travelling abroad to work. He also said that he had €700 with him in court which he’d be willing to pay over by means of compensation.

Judge Cheatle, however, said that this amount would not cut it. ‘ This was a serious assault with a substantial risk of death,’ he said. ‘I know that was far from the defendant’s intention, but this is a serious matter.’

Judge Cheatle then said that a figure of €6,000 in compensation would be more appropriate and asked if O’Connor was agreeable. His barrister said that he was, but he would need a significant amount of time to gather that amount of money. Judge Cheatle said he understood this and the case was put back until December 5 to see what payments could be made.