Bundoran man ordered to be in court to hear hotel assault charge

A Bundoran man has been ordered to attend Ballyshannon District Court in July to hear an alleged assault charge at the Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran, from February 2024.

Colin Harrison, 46, of Market Square, Bundoran, was not present at Ballyshannon Courthouse, where there were two charges against him.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham firstly convicted the defendant for a motor insurance offence that Harrison’s solicitor, Gerry McGovern, indicated that he had pleaded guilty to.

The court heard that Harrison had two previous convictions. Mr McGovern told the court that there were no previous convictions for insurance offences.

Harrison was fined €250, payable within four months, but not disqualified for driving, for being the user of a vehicle at West End, Magheracar, on November 26, 2025, without approved insurance, contrary to Section 56 (1) & (3) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended by Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act 2006.

Judge Cunningham then asked Mr McGovern about his client’s attendance to hear a charge that on February 27, 2024, at The Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran, he assaulted a man, contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act 1997.

Mr McGovern notified the court that his client had suffered an injury, and said: “I have spoken to him about that matter. What he is telling me is that he is pleading guilty, but the problem I have is getting him to court. I have asked him to come, and he has said he is not able to come to court.”

Judge Cunningham asked: “Are you happy to deal with it in his absence? Is a plea being tendered?”

Mr McGovern replied: “He says he will never be able to come to court.”

Inspector Tony Byrne told the court: “The injured party was in the hotel and met the defendant, a former friend of his. The injured party received a number of boxes to the head and put him in a headlock. He suffered a cut.

“CCTV footage was obtained and the defendant was identified.”

A victim’s impact statement was given to the court.

Mr McGovern told the court that his client had no previous convictions of this matter.

Judge Cunningham told Mr McGovern that his client needed to attend a court hearing. She said: “Whilst I appreciate that your client may be unwell, he is going to have to come to court.

Mr McGovern maintained: “There have been many attempts and I have told him in no uncertain terms.”

Judge Cunningham said: “I am going to deal with it first on the list, and he can stand for the entire proceedings.

“There is a victim here that needs to be protected. It has been going on now since 2024 and has to be dealt with.

“I am going to direct the accused to be present, and if he is not, I will issue a bench warrant. I am going to facilitate his bad back.”

The case for the alleged charge contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act 1997 was adjourned until July 17, and with Judge Cunningham directing that Harrions would be present.