Offaly publican assaulted by two intoxicated Tipperary men

TWO Tipperary men were convicted of assaulting a Banagher publican, during last week's Tullamore District Court sitting.

Before the court were James Hutchinson (aged 25), of 13 Killaghy Crescent, Mullinahone and Alec Morrissey (25), of 11 Abbey Court Lodge, Nenagh.

They pleaded guilty to assaulting the publican at his pub on Main Street Banagher on the 16th of March 2024.

They also pleaded guilty to being threatening and intoxicated on the 16th of March in Kylebeg Banagher.

Sergeant Richard Thornton told the court that the men were “highly intoxicated” in the injured party's pub and when the injured party asked them to leave because of their intoxication they became aggressive. “He was punched in the face and he fell to the ground,” the Sergeant said.

The defending Barrister David Nugent said this behaviour on Mr Morrissey's part was “an aberration. This is not like him. He apologises to the court. Both men have brought €3,000 to the court to give to the injured party.”

Mr Nugent said his client is on disability payment for mental health issues. “He wants to put this matter behind him. He promises me that it will never happen again.”

Mr Hutchinson had 13 previous convictions. Mr Nugent said all of Mr Hutchinson's convictions were for road traffic matters, “therefore this matter, being a public order matter, was an aberration for him as well. He also apologises for his behaviour. He will have to live with this conviction for the rest of his life, because whenever he tries to get ahead and do something such as a course or something positive, the matter of his conviction will be raised.”

Judge Andrew Cody convicted both men. He fined Mr Hutchinson €500 and sentenced him to six months imprisonment, suspending for three years. He fined Mr Morrissey €300 and sentenced him to two months imprisonment, suspending for two years.