Court told Nenagh man charged with assault was acting ‘out of concern for his son’

Two men in Nenagh have been referred to the Restorative Justice Programme for an incident that resulted in one of them being struck with a shovel. 

Ian Donnellan (35) of 92 St Joseph’s Park, Nenagh, was charged with assault causing harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-fatal Acts Against the Person 1997, on August 8, 2023, on Silver Street, Nenagh. 

William Doyle (23) of 6 William Street, Nenagh, is charged with the production of an article capable of inflicting injury contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990, on August 8, 2023, on Silver Street, Nenagh.

Sergeant Regina McCarthy told Nenagh District Court that on the day of the incident, gardaí received a report of a dispute between two males on Silver Street, Nenagh. 

At the scene, Mr Doyle had a shovel in his hand. Mr Donnellan took the shovel from Mr Doyle, stuck him with it, breaking it in the process.  Mr Doyle ran up Silver Street, where there were a number of others and the incident “escalated.”

The incident was caught on CCTV.  Mr Donnellan was arrested and taken to Nenagh Garda Station, where he admitted to his role in the incident.  

The court heard that Mr Doyle was taken to hospital for treatment for bruises and cuts requiring stitches.

Since the incident, he has suffered from headaches, the court heard.

The court was told that Mr Doyle has no previous convictions while Mr Donnellan has 14, including for assault. 

Acting for Mr Donnellan, solicitor Maria Flanagan told the court that while her client does have previous convictions, they are from quite a long time ago. 

She said he is in employment and has children with special needs.

Ms Flanagan explained to the court that on the night of the incident, Mr Donnellan had got a call for help from his son.  The incident was related to issues with families in the area, but Mr Donnellan had grabbed the shovel because he was “confronted” with it by the co-acccused.

Ms Flannagan also said not all of Mr Doyle’s injuries could be attributed to her client’s actions as there were a number of people involved. And that he acted out of concern for his son. 

She said he wouldn’t be before the court again and asked the judge to consider the Restorative Justice Programme.

“He acted impetuously, and he accepts that.”

Judge Fiona Brennan said she would remand the defendant on bail to November for assessment for the programme.

But she also said:

“This is a very serious matter. This court makes no promises.”

Similarly, and acting for Mr Doyle, solicitor John Spencer said his client has no previous convictions and is in full-time employment in a warehouse.

He too asked the judge to consider the Restorative Justice Programme. 

Judge Brennan remanded Mr Doyle on bail until November for assessment for the Restorative Justice Programme.