Defendant slapped another male in the face during row at Clonmany Festival

A man who became aggressive and slapped another male in the face during last year’s Clonmany Festival has been fined €100 in court.

Oran Kearney, of Leenankeel, Clonmany, admitted a charge of disorderly conduct in a public place when he appeared before Carndonagh District Court, which continues to sit in Buncrana Courthouse.

The 26-year defendant did not have legal representation during the brief court hearing.

Judge Ciaran Liddy put it to him: “There’s an allegation here that you were engaged in offensive conduct on August 5, 2024 in Clonmany. Do you wish to plead guilty or not guilty?”

“Guilty,” Mr Kearney replied loudly from the back of the courtroom.

Sergeant Emmet Brady presented a summary of the evidence in the matter, telling the court how the incident occurred during the early hours of August 5, 2024 at Main Street, Clonmany.

At 3am that morning, Garda Ryan Duffy observed Mr Kearney in a verbal altercation with another male.

He was approached, but continued to remain aggressive. He then slapped another male in the face, which was witnessed by Garda Duffy.

After hearing the evidence, Judge Liddy addressed the accused: “Mr Kearney, do you want to say anything in relation to that?”

The Clonmany man said he was away fishing and missed the subsequent postal fine for the charge.

“I’d just like to say that if I had got the fine in the post, I would have paid it.”

“The letter was sent to my mother’s house, and it must have been misplaced.”

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Judge Liddy was told that Mr Kearney has three previous convictions, but not for public order related offences.

He imposed a conviction and a fine of €100, with a deadline of three months to pay.

“Can you change the address on that?” Mr Kearney asked the judge, who told him he would have to contact the Court Service himself.