This article is from page 23 of the 2008-09-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 23 JPG
A MAN whose eyesight was “hazed by cannabis fumes” stabbed his friend with a kitchen knife in a row over a girl during a drink and drugs leyU NT SXen
Martin Donegan (28), a native of Dublin and with an address at Kurva- hon, Main Street, Kildysart, pleaded guilty to assaulting Donal Downes (38), causing him harm, at St Clare’s Terrace, Ennis, on August 5, 2007.
The attack occurred during what was described in court as a rave. When asked by gardai was he trying to kill the injured party, the accused replied, “God no. He’s my friend.”
Garda Francis Brennan told Ennis Circuit Court yesterday that Donal Downes was one of three men liv- ing in the house where a party was held. He said it was a Health Board house.
He was stabbed by the accused with a kitchen knife which was 12 inches in length and had a nine inch blade. He said the accused and injured par- ty had been drinking together over the previous few days and drink and drugs were involved.
“They had drank a couple of bot- tles of vodka. They had hash and ‘e’ tablets. They had a falling out over a girl,” said the garda.
Mr Downes was stabbed a number of times to the chest and received a significant laceration to the sternum. The court was told that Donegan co-
operated but had suffered memory loss from the night of the row.
Defence barrister Brian McInerney said that Donegan has addictions to drugs and alcohol, for which he has received treatment.
‘The party at the house went on for a number of days. It might common- ly be described as a bit of a rave,’ he Cr HeR
“There is no element of pre-plan- ning in this case, or pre-mediation. It arose from consumption of intox1- cants,’ said the barrister.
‘IT would ask you to consider wheth- er there is a benefit to society at large in immediately incarcerating the accused, who seems to have made considerable strides to overcome the difficulties in his life,’ he added.
He asked for the sentencing to be adjourned to ascertain how much progress the accused could make.
Judge Carroll Moran said _ the number of stab wounds suffered by the injured party was a matter of concern. He said he accepted the ac- cused had taken steps to deal with his problems, but said the issue of com- pensation had not been addressed.
Mr McInerney said his client hoped to secure employment, “now that his eyesight is not hazed by cannabis fumes and the waft of alcohol”.
The judge adjourned the case until January 2009 and said if compensa- tion is offered and if the accused’s addictions are addressed, he would not send him to jail.