Judge asks to see injury suffered by footballer assaulted during match in the Midlands.

A judge asked to see the injury suffered by a football player who was assaulted during a football match in the Midlands.

Judge Nicola Andrews told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that she wouldn’t finalise a case without seeing the injury.

David Macmahon, 46, of 25 Woodlands Park, Coill Dubh, Naas, Co Kildare admitted assault causing harm at Arlington AFC, Lea Road, Portarlington on April 23, 2023. He also admitted engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour during the same incident.

Another man, Eoghan Gleeson, 32, of 37 St Brochan’s Park, Bracknagh, Co Kildare admitted to a charge of assault causing harm to Mr Macmahon during the same incident in Portarlington.

Garda Paul Dooley said Mr Macmahon was an assistant coach and two of his sons were playing for Coill Dubh.

“His son was tackled late in the game,” he explained. He said a “verbal spat” began and the defendant entered the pitch and assaulted a player. He was then assaulted by Mr Gleeson who was part of the coaching team on the opposing team.

Garda Dooley said the injured party was taken to the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore after the incident. He said the man wasn’t in a position to put together a victim impact statement at the time of the hearing.

Judge Nicola Andrews asked about the age of the injured player and the nature of the injuries.

“Mr Macmahon is accused of assaulting a player and in turn Mr Gleeson is accused of assaulting Mr Macmahon,” she said.

“There were three paper stitches judge to seal the wound,” Garda Dooley explained. He showed photographs of the injury to Judge Andrews along with a medical report from the hospital. He said the injured party was 23 at the time of the incident.

Judge Andrews was told by Sgt Kirby that the DPP had directed the case be heard in the district court only if there was a plea of guilty. If not it was to go to the higher circuit court.

“I want to see the scar as it is now,” said Judge Andrews.

She pointed out that the assault had happened to “a young adult playing a game of football”.

“If there are three stitches under his chin I want to know is there a scar,” she said.

Sgt Kirby said the other defendant, Mr Gleeson had shaken hands with Mr Macmahon.

When asked about what injuries he had sustained, Mr Macmahon said they were only scrapes.

Judge Andrews said she wanted the case put back for two weeks in order for the player to attend court.

“I want all the necessary information from the victim,” Judge Andrews said. She adjourned the matter to Portlaoise District Court on May 25.