Judge tells Offaly university student to donate €5,000 to charity following assault in Tullamore

A YOUNG man will have to donate €5,000 to charity following an assault in Tullamore just before Christmas last year.

The local District Court heard that Sean Gilmartin (21), Luganiska, Kilcormac had been ejected from a licensed premises on December 23 before he assaulted Thomas Dolan, causing him harm, and assaulted Stephen Malone, attempting to cause bodily harm.

Judge Andrew Cody was told by Sergeant Justine Reilly that Mr Gilmartin punched Thomas Dolan in the face, resulting in injuries to the face and nose and for which the injured party required medical attention.

The incident was recorded on CCTV, added Sergeant Reilly, who also said Mr Gilmartin's attitude to the guards was very poor.  The young man had no previous convictions.

Defending solicitor Donal Farrelly said the background to the offences was that Mr Gilmartin had met Mr Malone and they had a disagreement.  Then Mr Dolan was berating his client outside the premises.

Mr Farrelly said his client could not recall what had happened because he had quite a lot to drink.  He brought a letter of apology to the court.

The solicitor said the accused was a marketing management student in the University of Limerick and was accompanied to court by his father who was extremely disappointed.  

From working at temporary jobs Mr Gilmartin had saved money and brought €2,000 with him to court. The offence had been caused by drunkenness which he would regret for ever.

Asking Judge Cody to show leniency, Mr Farrelly added that the accused was in his final year in college and would need to travel abroad for work in the future.

Judge Cody said the offence was a serious one because there had been incidents of people being killed with one punch to the head.

He asked for the payment of €5,000 to charity by Mr Gilmartin and adjourned sentence to October 25 next.

Judge Cody also ordered a victim impact report from Mr Dolan.