This article is from page 17 of the 2005-11-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
THREE young men who assaulted a man after he refused to give one of them a ciga- rette, have been remanded in custody for a week at Ennis Circuit Court.
Ryan Haran (21), of Lahinch Road, En- nistymon; David King (20), Doora, Ennis and Noel Mullane (23), of Ardnaculla, En- nistymon; each pleaded guilty to a number of offences, arising out of an incident at Teach Ceol, Deerpark, Ennistymon, on June 13, 2004.
Sgt Michael Gallery told the court the in-
jured party Sean O’Flaherty (33), was stand- ing at O’Brien’s Corner in the early hours of the morning, when he was approached by Noel Mullane. He was asked for a cigarette and he obliged but when asked for a second cigarette he refused. He was punched in the nose.
Some time later, as he walked up Church Street, he was grabbed by a number of men and brought to the grounds of Teach Ceol. He was kicked, thrown on the ground and punched. His shirt was ripped open and his trousers was cut. The hairs on his chest were singed by a cigarette lighter, he was cut on
the face and leg and was called names.
His pockets were searched and his wallet, which contained money, a bank card and credit card, was stolen.
The three accused men were seen around this time by a garda in a boisterous mood and under the influence of some form of in- toxicant.
There was evidence of loose gravel and loose change on the ground, where the in- cident occurred.
The injured party suffered trauma and shock but has since recovered and has moved to another county.
The court was told the three were unem- ployed at the time of this incident.
Judge Carroll Moran said he would ad- journ the case for a week and remanded the three in custody.
‘This is a very bad assault committed by three people very badly out of control. I know they pleaded guilty .. . but they in- flicted appalling injuries. He [the injured party] was kicked, thrown on the ground and kicked in the ribs.
“It’s about as bad as you’d get and it seems there was no motive,’ said Judge Moran.