Tipperary man assaulted victim following mistake about 'suspicious vehicle'

Nenagh Court was told that aTipperary motorist who turned back at a Garda checkpoint had no insurance

placeholder image — Nenagh Court was told that aTipperary motorist who turned back at a Garda checkpoint had no insurance

A man who confronted the driver of what he thought was a suspicious vehicle pleaded before Nenagh District Court to assault.

Judge Elizabeth MacGrath heard that the injured party was driving at Ballycapple, Cloughjordan, at around 4.30pm on September 2 last year.

He encountered another vehicle that was parked in order to block his passage on the narrow road.

The driver of this vehicle, Adam Mounsey, 33, of Elysium House, Cloughjordan, who was unknown to the injured party, approached and made serious threats towards him.

He grabbed the injured party by the throat.

There was an exchange of words before both parties left the scene.

Mr Mounsey was identified from his vehicle’s registration number.

Kenny Kerins, BL, for Mr Mounsey said that the offence took place outside his client's home.

His family had had trouble with vehicles in the area previously and his client mistakenly believed that the injured party had arrived in “suspicious circumstances”, though there was no suggestion that the other man had been in the area unlawfully.

While words were exchanged between the two men, no physical harm was caused and Mr Mounsey did not choke the injured party, he said.

Judge Elizabeth MacGrath imposed a €500 fine.

Leave to appeal was granted.