Struckman withgolfclub

A man who is turning his life around in prison has been given a chance to continue his rehabilitation.

Nico Barrett ( 23) of Humbert Street, Tubbercurry, was charged with assault, criminal damage and Public order offences at The Square, Tubbercurry last June 19th.

The criminal damage and Public Order charges were struck out and Barrett pleaded guilty to assault.

Inspector Padraig Burke told the court that a man was assaulted by Barrett with part of a golf club.

“Nico Barrett had an issue with a friend of the man and took it out on him,” he said.

He said Barrett followed the man up the street and assaulted him. “The head of the golf club had come loose and fell off so it was with the rubber end he struck him,” he said.

“It mustn’t have been of great quality,” said Mr Gerard McGovern, defending. He said there had been “a falling out between friends which sometimes happens” and added that Barrett was currently serving a substantial prison sentence.

“His release date is June 24th 2017. He’s had a lot of thinking to do inside and wants to come out and start afresh,” said Mr McGovern to the judge.

“He’s still a young man. He’s doing courses inside and has won awards. It’s obvious he’s spending his time in the right way in Castlerea,” he said.

Judge Kilrane agreed that Barrett was a young man and said he wouldn’t add to his sentence.

He sentenced him to one month in prison for the assault, starting from last Wednesday.

He also gave Barrett the Probation Act for a separate charge of having ¤ 12 of cannabis herb in his possession.