Fianna Fail Senator Camillus Glynn yesterday pleaded guilty to hitting a businessman in the gents’ toilets of a local hotel, when the case came before the courts in Mullingar.
Senator Glynn (67 ) from Clonmore, Mullingar, received the benefit of the Probation Act for an assault when he gave an undertaking to make a €2,500 contribution to the Mullingar St Vincent de Paul Society.
The politician pleaded guilty to assaulting Thomas Wright at the Annebrook House Hotel on May 25. Mr Peter Jones, State Solicitor, told the court that both the defendant and the injured party were in the hotel. The injured party said that Camillus Glynn punched him in the face in the gents' toilets. Mr Wright reported the incident to the hotel's duty manager, who duly reported the incident to the Gardai.
Mr Wright made a statement to gardai, while the defendant also made a statement when approached by Sergeant Willoughby. Camillus Glynn alleged that he was assaulted by the injured party, but upon investigation, gardai were satisfied that there was only one assault.
In his statement Thomas Wright (59 ), Tullaniskey, Mullingar, who is a former Fianna Fáil councillor, said that he went to a 25th wedding anniversary in the Annebrook House Hotel on May 24. At 2.15am he went to the gents' toilet and when he entered, there was a man with his back to him, washing his hands at the sink.
When the evidence resumed, the injured party's statement continued that he went to the urinal. The other man went to dry his hands, and Thomas Wright realised at this stage that it was Camillus Glynn.
He said “Good night Thomas” and Thomas Wright replied “Good night”. Thomas Wright said that the defendant then said, “You're talking a lot about my son Ken and myself, but I'll shut you up,” in an aggressive manner.
The injured party said that the defendant hit him in the face with his fist, and his nose started bleeding. Thomas Wright added that after hitting him, Camillus Glynn said, “That'll shut you up” and ran out the door. Thomas Wright was in shock and his nose kept pumping blood. A young man who came into the toilet came to his assistance, and washed the blood off his face and his hands.
The injured party called a friend for assistance and waited in the toilet until the Gardai came. He went to the Accident and Emergency unit at Mullingar Hospital where X-rays were taken.
When asked by Judge John Neilan about Thomas Wright's injuries, Mr Jones said that gardai observed that the injured party's face was bloodied and swollen, but there are no long-term consequences. The court heard that the injured party is currently out of the jurisdiction and did not wish to be heard in court.
Mr Redmond O'Regan, solicitor, said that Camillus Glynn freely admitted the offences and wished to apologise to the Gardai, the injured party, and his family. He added that the defendant is a man of impeccable character, who has served the people of the community for the past 29 years and that he feels dreadful that he has let himself down in this way.
Mr O'Regan said that his account of what happened was somewhat different from the injured party. The defendant says that when he met Thomas Wright, the latter said “Fancy meeting you in a place like this”, and then in a lower tone, “A lowlife like you”.
He also claims that the injured party gave him an elbow in the ribs. Mr O'Regan added that his client accepted that he acted badly and responded badly and is ashamed of his actions.The defendant bore the injured party no personal animosity whatsoever.
His client has had a career as a psychiatric nurse, before pursuing a full-time political career. He said his client, though not a wealthy man, would welcome an opportunity to make a contribution to charity as an indication of his remorse.
Judge John Neilan indicated that he wished the injured party to nominate a charity of his choice for a €2,500 contribution, which would reflect the contriteness and remorse of the defendant. The injured party was contacted by Sergeant Willoughby by telephone and indicated that he wished the contribution to be made to the St Vincent de Paul Society, Mullingar.
