This article is from page 12 of the 2007-12-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A POLISH man who was attacked in a Shovel row in Ennis two months ago was “beaten to an inch of his life’ a court has been told.
Piotr Baran (30) was one of two Polish nationals attacked during a fracas on Parnell Street, in October. He sustained serious head injuries in the incident.
Baran, of no fixed abode, appeared before Ennis District Court on Friday charged with public order offences arising from a different incident.
Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett CP NCGM ODISMOMBLoJ SIMTK UAYcLOMNDOM DRolE-DOLOmCO)n the past two-and-a-half years and has very little English.
He noted that his client has an al- cohol problem but is currently not drinking.
“Up to recently you’d walk down town and he’d be begging. He now has accommodation with a friend and a job in Dublin,” said Mr Has- sett.
The court heard Baran had a number of previous convictions.
Judge Aeneas McCarthy said, “I don’t think probation is appropriate. He’s an alcoholic.”
Mr Hassett replied, “He’s doing something about his drinking. This man was viciously assaulted on the street to an inch of his life two months ago.
“It’s a matter for the DPP. He has given up drink.”
A probation officer told the court that residential treatment was not an option because of the language dif- ECON Lone
Judge McCarthy replied, “Resi- dence in prison 1s an option.”
“T will place him on probation for six months.
“If he starts drinking again, he will be brought back before the court,” he added.
He asked what steps the accused has taken to learn English and was told he has enrolled in English class- oe