A 20-year-old, who in an unprovoked attack hit a man in the face, was before Ballina District Court this week where he was given a one month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.
On July 6 of last year at 2.50am, Garda Charles Elliott observed a man with a bleeding face come towards him on Pearse Street, Ballina. The victim told the garda that he had been assaulted by Padraig Dunne of Carrentrilla, Foxford Road, Ballina, outside Penny’s where, when trying to get through a crowd, he was hit in the face and to the side of the forehead with a closed fist.
The following day Garda Elliott contacted the defendant, who admitted that he hit the victim, who he only knew to see.
Liam Sheridan, defending solicitor, said that Dunne was intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Judge Mary Devins said that this was “unprovoked thuggery” and convicted and fined the defendant €500 and directed that €500 be paid to the injured party. Dunne was also given a one month prison sentence which was suspended for 12 months.
