A 37-year-old man who in 2007 attacked a postman for no apparent reason was sentenced at this week’s sitting of Ballina District Court to nine months in prison.
The case, which was heard in April, outlined how a postman who was delivering mail to the FÁS office at the Ridgepool, Ballina on November 23 2007 was suddenly attacked outside the office. The postman ended up with bruises to his ribs and grazes on his face.
Brian Hetherington, with an address at Apartment 2, The Brook, Abbey Street, Ballina admitted the offences, and gardaí had previous dealings with the defendant in relation to a very similar incident which was dealt with by way of an adult caution.
John Gordon, solicitor for the defendant, told the court this week that Hetherington has left the jurisdiction and is now seeking help from his GP and psychiatric services in the UK. Judge Mary Devins imposed the prison sentence on the man.
