This article is from page 13 of the 2006-02-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
A CONVICTION imposed on a 54-year-old man for assaulting a bouncer has been overturned, after the judge heard he plans to emigrate to the US.
Michael Singleton, with addresses at Westfields, Ennis and Corofin, was convicted of assaulting Kevin Cooper (43), of Loughville, Ennis, on October 23, 2004 and was jailed for three months.
Garda Francis Corey told Ennis Circuit Court last week that Mr Singleton threw a glass at Mr Cooper, in Woody’s pub on Chapel Lane, Ennis.
Defending solicitor, Tara Godfrey, said there had been very bad blood between her client and Mr Cooper for the past 10 years.
She said her client hit Mr Cooper out of self defence.
“For my client’s own health and for Mr Cooper, it would be advisable if there could be distance between them,” said Ms Godfrey.
The judge asked Garda Corey whether there was a long history between the two men and he replied, “I would say so. Both parties, when taken apart, are okay to deal with, but when together it seems like it’s a red rag to a bull.”
Mr Singleton told Judge Carroll Moran that if granted a green card, he would go to stay with his daughter in the US. The judge noted that Mr Singleton had only one previous conviction at this stage of his life.
“He wants to travel to the US. I think I’ll give him the benefit of the Probation Act.”