Longford man who followed and assaulted driver who 'scratched' friend's car is jailed

A North Longford man has been jailed for intervening when a driver 'scratched' against another car and he assaulted the motorist who was hospitalised.

Gerard Sammon (49) of Bunlahy, Longford pleaded guilty recently at Longford District Court to assault causing harm arising out of an incident on October 30, 2024.

Sergeant Mark Mahon, for the State said this was an incident that took place on Main Street, Granard.

"A verbal altercation took place between the injured party and the defendant at about 4.45pm.

"The argument surrounded a traffic collision that had occurred involving the injured party.

"The defendant approached him and punched him once in the jaw and following this the defendant punched the injured party a second time knocking him back onto the ground.

"The injured party attended Cavan hospital and he sustained bruising to the left side of his face."

Sgt Mahon said an X-ray was carried out on the victim and the injured party was reported to have suffered a mild head injury and soft tissue damage.

Sgt Mahon said the defendant had six previous convictions.

The court heard Mr Sammon is currently serving a prison sentence of two years and three months, which he received at Longford Circuit Court for assault and the 'use of a weapon' and he is due to be released on March 24, 2027.

Solicitor Diarmuid Quinn, defending, handed in a probation report which was completed prior to his Longford Circuit Court sentencing and he submitted some medical letters which he said referred to his mental health.

"Mr Sammon obviously had other matters to be dealt with in the circuit court and as outlined he did receive a three year, nine month sentence with the final 18 months suspended,” the legal representative added.

The 18-months that are suspended are under strict conditions that he continues to engage with the probation services.

Mr Quinn said his client attended Cuan Mhuire residential addiction treatment centre where he completed a 12-week programme and he engaged with anger management.

"He has totally turned his life around and obviously he has been in custody for a considerable period already and whilst in prison he has become enhanced and he is working in the kitchen."

Mr Quinnn, who asked Judge Bernadette Owens not to impose a consecutive sentence, said his client had been walking in Granard when he saw someone pulling out of a space and it scratched the other car.

"Mr Sammon believed that the car was trying to drive away without leaving their details and the other lady he knew was in the shop doing her shopping.

"That is how the confrontation started, he knows he shouldn't have got involved, that is the bottom line."

Judge Owens decided to hand down a 10-month custodial sentence which is to run concurrently to the sentence currently being served.

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