This article is from page 13 of the 2013-05-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
A DISTRICT court judge labelled the atmosphere in a small West Clare community “septic”, as he fined a father of two € 750 for assaulting and injuring the local school principal.
Martin Tubridy (55), Quarry Vale, Mounthshannon, Labasheeda, had been found guilty of assault causing harm to Liam Woulfe at Labasheeda National School on December 9, 2011, during a court hearing on January 20, 2013.
School principal Mr Woulfe suffered a bloodied nose, black eye and dislodged tooth during the after school attack.
At Kilrush District Court Judge Patrick Durcan said evidence had been given that Mr Tubridy had driven to the school on the afternoon in question.
Mr Woulfe was meeting with another parent, when Mr Tubridy walked up the steps of the school to deal with a matter regarding his eight-year-old son.
Mr Woulfe told the accused that he would speak to him later as he was dealing with another parent, and Mr Tubridy struck him in the face.
Caroline O’Shea the parent, who had been in the classroom meeting Mr Woulfe, had told the court the Mr Woulfe recoiled back over the door in shock. Mr Tubridy then left.
Mr Tubridy’s solicitor had challenged Ms O’Shea and said could not have seen the assault from where she was.
Mr Woulfe, who has been principal at the school for 17 years, said that he had never had to deal with a parent in such an aggressive manner.
At Tuesday’s sitting of the court solicitor for the defence Fiona Hehir said that the publicity of the case had taken its toll on her client and that he had left employment due to depression.
“He fears the publicity on this court will affect his chances of getting work,” she said.
Ms Hehir handed in character references from Thomas Linnane, the charity Second Chance Rescue, Shannon Gael’s GAA Ladies Club and a private reference from parish priest Fr John Kelly. Fr Kelly’s reference was not on behalf of the board of management, the court was told.
A list of charity work carried out by Mr Tubridy was also submitted.
“I am satisfied on review of evidence as I was on January 20, 2013, that Mr Martin James Tubridy assaulted Liam Woulfe,” said Judge Durcan.
He said that he had adjourned the case for a lengthy period aware of the impact the case could have on a small community like Labasheeda.
He said he was conscious that this was a special community, where resources were scarce and small schools, like the two-teacher school in Labasheeda, are under threat.
He then referenced a Department of Education report carried out on June 30, 2012, that showed 89 per cent of parents said their children felt safe in the school.
He said he was not satisfied that any steps had been taken however to rectify the issue outside of the court.
“There is a septic atmosphere out in Labasheeda that needs to be addressed,” he said.
“I am dealing with what happened on December 9, 2011.”
He said he was satisfied that the references showed Mr Tubridy was a “committed” man that did work for charity.
The judge added that this did not get away from the fact that the defendant walked into the school and hit the school principal.
“The assault on a school principal in a small community is a very serious matter,” he said, describing the school principal as a leader in the community.
He sentenced Mr Tubridy, who had no previous convictions to pay a fine of € 750.
Mr Tubridy had previously been ordered to pay € 400 compensation to Mr Woulfe and Ms O’Shea.