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Ennis man jailed for four months after attack

This article is from page 12 of the 2007-11-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG

A MAN who kicked another man while he was on the ground has been jailed for four months, despite a plea from the victim’s father not to send him to jail.

Trevor McMahon (36) of Sandfield Centre, Ennis, pleaded guilty to as- saulting Owen Walsh, causing him harm, at Sheil’s garage, Gort Road, Ennis, in the early hours of on Au- gust 25 last year.

Inspector Michael Gallagher told Ennis District Court that following a complaint, gardai viewed CCTV footage at the garage.

He said the footage showed that there was a scuffle in the forecourt and McMahon was “the major cul- ele

The injured party bled from the teeth, he said. Inspector Gallagher pointed out that the incident arose in the queue. Mr Walsh was knocked to

the ground and kicked.

Solicitor for the injured party, Stephen Nicholas told the court that his client suffered bad damage to two front teeth in the incident. “One is dead and has to be replaced,’ he said.

He said the cost of replacing the tooth will be between €3,000 and ono 0107

Solicitor for McMahon, Tara God- frey said her client is a voluntary worker and is currently in education.

‘There is an alternative for the in- jured party, the Criminal Injuries Tribunal can provide money. Mr Walsh might be able to find in that the means to have the tooth repaired,’ said Ms Godfrey. She said her client turned around and two men behind him seemed to be challenging him.

“In his mind, he was intimidated and he swung for Mr Walsh. Mr Walsh felt intimidated and pushed Mr McMahon,” she said.

“Mr McMahon stupidly lost the plot for the first time in 36 years,” SNToMCT BLO

Inspector Gallagher pointed out however that video evidence showed McMahon kicking Mr Walsh to the head while he was on the ground.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a four month jail term on McMahon and fixed a bond in the event of an appeal. Mr Walsh’s father then stood up and said he wanted to speak on behalf of his family.

“The family don’t want him to go to jail,” he said.

However Judge Mangan replied, “It’s not a case between you and the defendant. It’s a case between the State and the defendant. The courts must consider the community.”

1 reply on “Ennis man jailed for four months after attack”

This article is not telling the whole truth. First, there was no video evidence produced in court. Second, there was no mention of the second man who was with Mr Owen Walsh who assaulted Mr McMahon. Third, Mr McMahon only pleaded guilty to the offence on the advice of Miss Godfery, thinking she knew what was best for her client. Forth, Mr McMahon did not serve anytime in prison, and doesn’t have a police record. Fifth, Mr Walsh only sustained an apical fracture to one tooth. Mr McMahon was grossly misrepresented. Sixth, it was the Ennis police that took the case against Mr McMahon not Mr Walsh. They real truth never got known, which is two young men approach Mr McMahon late after a night club, intoxicated, and quarrelsome, provoked a fight, knocked Mr McMahon to the floor where both men punched and kicked him then lied to the police. Mr McMahon rightly fought back and one of the men sustained a crack in the front tooth. . Mr McMahon has the highest respect for the law of the land, but being unemployed at the time could only have free legal aid, which led to his unjust shame and humiliation.

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