This article is from page 13 of the 2007-09-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
A YOUNG man who assaulted a bar owner in Scariff has been handed a three-month suspended jail term.
James Walsh (26), of Waterpark, Scariff, pleaded guilty to assault- ing Michael Rogers, at Rogers’ bar, Scariff, in October 2006.
The owner of the pub, Michael Rog- ers told Scariff District Court that that accused invited him outside.
Mr Rogers refused and the accused lunged at him.
He said he pushed him twice and refused to leave the pub. He eventu- ibaa
Defending solicitor SsaN bs Loughnane said his client had en- tered a guilty plea to assault.
He said that while there had been an assault, the victim didn’t actually suffer physical injuries and Mr Rog- ers agreed with this.
“While Mr Walsh isn’t without his failings, he is a hard working young man. He hasn’t been in any pub in Scariff since. He is at a very impres-
sionable stage of his life,’ said the solicitor.
Judge Joseph Mangan heard that the accused has a number of previ- ous convictions.
Addressing Walsh, the judge said, “You have two drink driving convic- tions. You have a criminal damage conviction. You have a public order conviction and now you have an as- sault conviction. Do you have an al- cohol problem?”
The accused replied, “No.”
The judge said, “You have five drink related convictions and you don’t have an alcohol problem. Is that what you are telling us. Do you have an alcohol problem?”
Walsh then replied, “Yes.”
The judge said, “It 1s about time you told us.”
Judge Mangan jailed Walsh for three months and suspended the sentence on a number of condi- tions. These include that he abstain from alcohol, attend for counselling and sign on weekly. He fined him €1,500.