This article is from page 13 of the 2012-05-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
A BARMAN was punched in the face by the best man at a wedding as he attempted to close the bar, a court has heard.
Details of the assault were heard at Ennis District Court on Tuesday. Anthony O’Grady (34) with an address at Phairs Road, Meelick, was charged with assaulting barman Neil O’Gorman at the Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty on June 27 (2010).
Mr O’Gorman told the court that he had pulled the shutter halfway down the bar at around 2am.
He said at that point Mr O’Grady attempted to push the shutter back up.
He recalled that when he said the bar was about to close, Mr O’Grady told him, “we’re paying for this f****** wedding and we’ll say when it closes.”
Mr O’Gorman said that as he attempted to close the bar , Mr O’Grady struck him in the side of his face with his fist.
The court heard that Mr O’Grady had been the best man on the day. Judge Patrick Durcan remarked that in this case, “The best man was the worst man.”
Solicitor Stiofan Fitzpatrick said his client had been heavily intoxicated. “He’s normally a light drinker. This was completely out of character.”
The court heard that Mr O’Grady is a father of three currently working in Poland. He has no previous convictions.
Mr Fitzpatrick added, “He is extremely apologetic and has been very anxious about this matter.”
Judge Durcan described Mr O’Grady’s behaviour on the night as “abominable.”
Referring to Mr O’Gorman, the judge said:
“Those who enforce the law in a peripheral manner shouldn’t be faced with loutish and ignorant behaviour.”
Noting Mr O’Grady’s good record, Judge Durcan ordered that he pay € 750 to Childline. No conviction was recorded against Mr O’Grady.