Man given suspended sentence for assault

A Donegal man who assaulted another man after trespassing in his home has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Tony Ward was before Falcarragh District Court in connection with an incident on March 5, 2021.

Ward, a 58-year-old of Muckish Terrace, Creeslough, was charged with assaulting John Sweeney.

Ward was further charged with trespassing in such a manner as caused or was likely to cause fear in another person.

Inspector Seamus McGonigle told the court that the victim did not wish to attend court.

Ward had a previous condition in 2015 for which he received a suspended two-month prison sentence.

Inspector McGonigle said the accused has not come to Garda attention since the 2021 incident.

Mr Frank Dorrian, solicitor for Ward, said his client has lived a ‘furtive existence’ since being the victim of an assault himself.

“He does his best and his best may not be as good as another person’s best,” Mr Dorrian said.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham sentenced Ward to three months in prison for the assault on Mr Sweeney. The entirety of the sentence was suspended for 18 months while the trespass charge was taken into account.