Two men were each fined €500 and received suspended five month sentences for brawling with a number of others at the Huntsman Inn.
John Sweeney (24 ) with an address at 21 Cnoc Na Cille, Ballybane, and Eddie Togher (46 ) with an address at Flat 3B, Plunkett Avenue, Mervue, were both charged with involvement in an affray in which they threatened and committed unlawful violence on April 2, 2007.
Inspector Ernie White told Galway District Court this week that at 10.20am at the Huntsman Inn the gardaí observed the defendants fighting with a number of others.
Solicitor for both defendants Valerie Corcoran told the court that they had been drinking that morning and a row ensued between them. She added it was down to “stupidity” and that there was no other member of the public in the area. She said that they were fully compliant with bail conditions and with gardaí.
The court heard that Sweeney had 15 previous convictions, the last one in December 2004 for threatening and abusive behaviour for which he received two months suspended sentence. Togher had 14 previous convictions, the last June 2007 for criminal damage for which he received four months in jail. In May 2007, he received a four months sentence for possession of knives.
Ms Corcoran said that this matter had been before the courts 24 times and that both defendants had kept their noses clean for the past 19 months.
Judge Mary Fahy said that she would deal with the case on a fine and suspended custodial sentence basis because it had been before the courts a number of times and there had been confusion which has been clarified.
Both defendants were convicted and fined €500 and given a five month sentence suspended for 12 months with the conditions that they sign a bail bond of €500, no cash lodgement required, and be of good behaviour during that period.
