This article is from page 11 of the 2011-12-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
A JUDGE has described a man involved in a row in front of a child as a “blackguard”.
Judge Angela Ní Chondúin made the comment after hearing that there was background to the incident.
Michael Owsiak (24), who is originally from Poland and with an address at Kincora Park, Ennis, was charged with assault causing harm to Marek Walendziuk, at Kincora Park, Ennis, on October 16 last.
Ennis District Court heard on Friday that the accused punched the other man in the face. As a result, the victim sustained a broken nose.
The court was told that accused did not have any previous convictions.
Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett said that the victim of the assault was the defendant’s girlfriend’s former partner.
He said there were issues in relation to a young child.
He said that the injured party had been “at him verbally and physically” and his client lashed out with one punch.
“Certainly he was geed up by the other party,” said the solicitor.
Judge Ní Chondúin commented that this was a “great example in front of a child”.
Mr Hassett submitted that it was not a “straight cut case of a one man punch with no context”.
Judge Ní Chondúin said, “It’s shocking bad behaviour in front of a child. You don’t take the law into your own hands.”
She said she would normally order that money be paid to an injured party, but added, “but I am not going to enrich a blackguard particularly where there is a child involved.”
She ordered that € 400 be paid to the court poor box, adding, if the money is paid, she will strike out the charge. She adjourned the case until later this week.