Teachers in pub brawl to be taught a lesson

FIVE men including three teachers are awaiting sentence for taking part in a latenight brawl in a Dublin pub.

Four of the accused, who have Dublin addresses, and the fifth, from Co. Kildare, pleaded guilty to taking part in violent disorder after a row broke out at McGowan’s pub in Phibsborough on July 14 last year.

Teachers Michael Davitt, 34 from Clanmaurice Road, Donnycarney; Conor Shannon, 33, from Glendale Estate, Leixlip, Co. Kildare; and Séamus Ó Cearra, 34, from Mount Symon Green, Clonsilla, appeared at Dublin District Court over the punch-up, which involved ten people.

Stephen Cantwell, 28, from Collins Avenue, and David McSweeney, 31, from McKee Avenue, Finglas, also appeared before the court in connection with the incident.

Judge Brian O’Shea heard the two groups of defendants were on opposing sides during the row.

McSweeney faced an additional charge of producing glass as a weapon during a dispute.

In an outline of the allegations, the court heard that the incident occurred at around 2.40am and that up to ten people got into a row which continued even after staff tried to separate them.

The fight continued for a while but was finished by the time gardaí arrived.

Judge O’Shea heard it was alleged that Cantwell was observed hitting another male from behind – after he had been punched by that man earlier in the row.

The court was told that Davitt was also in the melee and had thrown a number of punches, ‘but not at anyone in particular’.

He also suffered a bloody nose after receiving a blow to the face, the court heard.

McSweeney was also seen fighting and threw a glass that hit Ó Cearra, who suffered a cut to his forehead in the incident.

Ó Cearra was also kicked. However, he was also observed punching one man in the face, knocking him to the floor.

Judge O’Shea heard that Shannon was knocked down during the fight and was seen throwing punches, ‘but was not observed assaulting any person in particular’.

Adjourning sentencing until September, Judge O’Shea asked the defence solicitors to hand in testimonials prior to the sentence date.