Enniscorthy man given until January to pay last instalment of compensation

THE 24-year-old man convicted of assault causing harm to well-known Enniscorthy businessman Padraig Donohoe has been given until January to pay the final €750 of €6,000 in compensation he was ordered to pay by the court earlier this year.

John O’Connor of 52 Gimont Avenue had appeared before Judge John Cheatle in relation to the matter in March of this year. At this stage it was heard that Mr Donohoe was carrying out an inspection at property in Templeshannon at 2.30 a.m. when he was approached from behind and struck in the head by O’Connor, losing consciousness.

It was also heard on that occasion that, while the attack was seemingly unprovoked, O’Connor’s father had worked for Mr Donohoe and had recently been let go, something which may have had a bearing on the incident.

At last week’s sitting of the District Court, barrister Emmett Whitmore told the court that O’Connor had already paid over €5,250 of the compensation due and he asked that the matter be put back to a date when Judge Cheatle was sitting for finalisation.

Judge Haughton said he didn’t know when this would be, but he adjourned the case until January 2 for mention and to allow O’Connor to pay the balance of compensation due to Mr Donohoe.