Donegal man jailed after golf club attack on car with seven-year-old child inside

A Donegal man who solicitor said “had got on his horse and charged to the assistance of a damsel in distress” has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court. 

Reese Laird (34) with an address at St Eunan's Terrace, Raphoe in County Donegal admitted a series of offences, one of them dating back to 2018.

The court heard on June 19 this year police were called to a report of a fight in Strathfoyle. 

The defendant came with a golf club and smashed the window of a car with a female and her seven-year-old daughter in it.

He also hit the woman on the ribs with the golf club. 

As regards the 2018 offence, Laird was convicted in his absence in 2020 of a charge of harassment of a female on dates between May 11, 2018 and November 20, 2018.

The court heard in that period the woman received multiple phone calls and messages from the defendant calling her names and being abusive. 

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said the incident in Strathfoyle occurred when Laird's then girlfriend told him his niece had been assaulted and the defendant “foolishly” reacted like a “knight in shining armour”.

The solicitor said that since then the lady who reported the incident to him “has since abandoned him”.

Laird was jailed for eight months and ordered to pay the woman £150 in compensation. 

A restraining order for two years was also imposed.