Kildare man gets 240 hours community service for assaulting drunken man who thought he was taxi -driver

A Co Kildare man whose solicitor said 'got the wrong idea' when a drunken man mistakenly thought he was a taxi-driver has been ordered to complete 240 hours community service instead of seven months in prison.

The accused, a 41- year-old Kildare man, father of five children, was charged with assault causing harm at Edward St, Newbridge, on March 12, 2015.

Superintendent Martin Walker outlined how a man made an error and 'appeared to get into a car' that he thought was a taxi.

The court heard how it was a 'misunderstanding', the accused attacked the man who thought he was a taxi.

Evidence was given that the accused had no previous convictions.

Supt Walker said: "The man had swelling in his eye, he said his neck was killing him. He also said that his elbow was killing him."

Defence Solicitor, David Griffin, said: "He did not deserve what he got."

Mr Griffin outlined how the accused was sitting in his car with his three- year-old daughter in the back.

The accused's wife and children had gone shopping.  Mr Griffin said that the accused did not know why he behaved the way he did and offered €750 in compensation to the injured party and also agreed to take part in community service.

Judge Desmond Zaidan ordered that the accused pay €1,000 to the injured party and undergo 240 hours community service, instead of seven months in prison.