A 36-year-old who was found trespassing on a Ballinrobe man’s property and subsequently assaulted him was sentenced to five months in prison at this week’s sitting of Ballinrobe District Court.
Brendan Murphy, Kilkeeran, Kilmaine who was arrested on Tuesday this week on foot of a bench warrant, pleaded guilty to trespassing, assault and failing to provide a sample after he was arrested for drink driving.
Garda Aidan Connaughton told the court that on March 2 this year a call was made to Ballinrobe Garda Station which outlined that the defendant was being detained by a Mr Padraic Moran at Mr Moran’s home. On arrival at the scene the defendant, who was aggressive, was being restrained on the ground by Mr Moran.
Mr Moran told Gda Connaughton that at 2am he heard a car revving in the yard of his house and then saw a silver Ford Mondeo drive out of the gate. Mr Moran went outside to see if the car had gone, however, Murphy drove back into the yard, got out of the car and dealt a blow to Mr Moran, hitting him with his fist to the left-hand side of his head. Murphy made several further attempts to hit Mr Moran but was blocked by the injured party.
Gda Connaughton also noticed that the defendant’s car was running and the lights were on and Murphy told him that he had driven the car from his house. Gda Connaughton, who smelt liquor from the defendant’s breath, arrested him on suspicion of drink driving. Murphy failed to produce a specimen at the garda station.
The court heard that Murphy has previous convictions, a problem with drink and had been in psychiatric care until last week.
Judge Mary Devins convicted and fined the defendant €1,000 for the section two assault and sentenced him to three months in prison (where psychiatric treatment was to be continued ). For the failure to produce a sample Murphy was convicted and fined €1,000, disqualified from driving for five years and sentenced to two months consecutive in prison. As for trespassing the defendant was convicted and fined €300 and sentenced to three months in prison concurrent. Recognisances were fixed.
