‘Out of character’ assault on Donegal bus driver had serious consequences

A district court judge has called for a probation report to be carried out in order to get to the bottom of why a young man with an unblemished character punched a bus driver.

The victim who was the driver of a private bus has not felt able to return to his work since the assault.

Lee Crawford, 26, of 51 The Park, Blue Cedars, Ballybofey, was before Donegal District Court on Monday, April 28. He had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting Francis Hunter and causing him harm. The incident occurred at the Diamond, Donegal Town on June 6, 2024, and is contrary to Section 3(1) and 3(2) of hte Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 (as amended by Section 20 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023).

Inspector Mick Doherty told the court that Crawford boarded a private bus that was stopped at the Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town. The bus driver asked him to get off the bus as he was not a designated passenger.

Crawford punched the bus driver in the face, causing bruising and a black eye. 

Photos showing the injuries were handed into court, as was a victim impact statement.

Having studied the victim impact statement, Judge Sandra Murphy said it was particularly concerning that the victim had not returned to work as he did not feel safe to do so. 

Solicitor Jim Corbett said his client had no idea what prompted him to behave in such a manner.

“He knows that he acted incorrectly,” said Mr Corbett. “He apologies profusely and would offer some money as compensation. I know it is not going to compensate for the psychological impact. 

“He has a good record, and never came to the attention of the court before. 

“Mr Crawford cannot offer an explanation; he doesn’t understand why it happened.

“He comes with his hands up and I would ask you to deal with it accordingly.”

The court heard that Crawford had been suspended from his job as a clerical officer in Letterkenny Garda Station as a result of the offence. 

A number of references were handed into court, which Judge Murphy said showed the defendant in a positive and ‘pro social’ light.

However, the judge said she had to bear in mind the impact the assault had on the injured party. 

“It has had a profound effect on the victim,” she said. “He doesn’t feel safe. He is no longer working. It is a very serious consequence. 

“He was in his workplace as a driver. If you are in your workplace you expect to be safe.”

Judge Murphy described the sum of €500 offered as compensation as ‘paltry’ and while she acknowledged that it was not her place to set compensation, she suggested that a more meaningful effort was required.

The judge said she had no wish to prolong the matter which was deeply distressing for the defendant and the victim. But she said that a probation report would be necessary. 

“This is something that will have huge consequences for Mr Crawford, and has already had huge consequences for Mr Hunter,” she said. 

“I have to get an insight into this man and why he did what he did. I know he was intoxicated but many people are intoxicated and they don’t act like that.”

The defendant took to the stand and apologised directly to Mr Hunter, adding: “I don’t know what happened.”

He said he was not going out socialising as much since the incident. 

Judge Murphy told the defendant: “You are a very young man. You are very pro social. There are some very good things being said about you. 

“But you have this man sitting in court who is no longer working as a result of what you did. All he was trying to do was to keep his bus free of someone who was intoxicated.

“You will be out socialising, you may end up in a relationship. You need to be very careful if you have a temper that can make you assault somebody.

“The probation report is being sought in fairness to you. You need to know this about yourself so that you can deal with it in the future.”

The case was adjourned to July 28 for the preparation of a probation, and for the matter to be finalised.