Court orders Letterkenny assault accused to appear for sentencing

A man charged with two assaults in Letterkenny has been ordered to appear in court.

Judge Emile Daly said that Ian Moore must appear before her for sentencing.

Moore was due to appear before Letterkenny District Court having been charged in relation to incidents at St Conal’s Hospital and Letterkenny Shopping Centre. 

Moore, a 49-year-old with an address at Robinson Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny but now living in Bundoran, was not before the court. His solicitor, Mr Frank Dorrian told the court that his client was unable to acquire travel vouchers to get to Letterkenny from Bundoran.

Details of the incidents were outlined to the court by Sergeant Jim Collins. 

The court heard that on December 2, 2021, Gardai were called to St Conal’s Hospital and spoke to security staff, who advised that a male refused to leave the premises.

Moore was on the ground, swearing and roaring and during the incident he kicked and punched a security guard, who also suffered a bite to his finger.

On March 16, 2022, at 10.30am, Gardai attended the eir store at Letterkenny Shopping Centre. An employee outlined that Moore entered the premises looking to have his phone repaired.

When he was told that this could not be done in store, he became aggressive. Moore struck the employee on the forehead with the phone. The man did not require stitches and there was no long term effect.

Victim impact statements were not available from the two victims, Sergeant Collins said.

Mr Dorrian said that Moore is now living in Bundoran and due to an issue with the Social Welfare he was unable to obtain vouchers to travel.

“He has to establish his situation with those people again,” Mr Dorrian said.

“That is indicative of his lifestyle and his presentation. He is debilitated by alcohol addiction and if he wasn’t intoxicated he certainly will have been in a compromised situation from previous alcohol intake. He becomes agitated and irrational and his life completely unravelled.”

Mr Dorrian said his client is “someone in a very steep decline” and said he has very reduced circumstances due to his inability to control addictions.

Moore has expressed deep remorse and shame, his solicitor added, quoting from a probation report prepared.

Judge Emile Daly said that Moore, who she described as being “at risk”, needs to be in court and the case was adjourned to February.