A Castlebar man who assaulted an off duty garda outside a takeaway in Castlebar was handed a six month sentence at Castlebar District Court this week. Stephen Jennings of 31 Riverdale Court pleaded guilty in court to attacking Detective Garda Peter Coleman on March 9 2010 at 2.30am outside Top Nosh takeaway on Bridge Street in Castlebar. The court was told that Det Garda Coleman was off duty and out socialising, he was in the takeaway to get some food and as he made his way outside Jennings ran up to him and said “you mini Fitz, you’re a fucking cop”, and hit him around the head several times. Det Garda Coleman was not injured as a result of the incident.
The court was also informed that Jennings wrote a letter to the garda appologising for his actions a time later. Aidan Crowley, solicitor for Jennings, told he court that his client was 26 years old and in gainful employment, he realised he was out of order and while he had a number of previous convictions, the last of which was a number of years ago, they were all related to drink as was this one.
Judge Mary Devins told the court that this case concerned her greatly as there has been an increase in the number of attacks on gardai off duty of late, and said that it was very regrettable that this can happen in a small town. She also told Jennings that she thought his letter of apology was self serving. She convicted and fined him €500 for assault and imposed a six month prison sentence. On appeal from Mr Crowley she fixed recognisance for appeal on a cash bail of €500 and an independent surety of €2,500 cash to be approved by the court.
