Kildare man admits assault at wedding anniversary celebration
Carlow Courthouse
THREE MEN who carried out an assault during a family celebration in the Lord Bagenal Hotel, Leighlinbridge were before Carlow District Court on assault and violent disorder charges.
Dwane Burke, 20 Cluain An Mhuilinn, Burrin Road, Carlow and his two uncles, brothers Adrian O’Neill, The Maltings, Athgarvan, Newbridge, Co Kildare and Kevin O’Neill, Skehanagh, Ballinhassig, Co Cork all pleaded guilty to assaulting one man, causing him harm, and of engaging in violent disorder on 6 January last year.
The court heard that the three defendants were attending their grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary in a private function room in the hotel when a complaint was made about noise levels from other patrons.
The party was later moved to the main public bar where words were exchanged with other patrons in the bar.
Judge Geraldine Carthy heard that 47-year-old Adrian O’Neill had initiated the assault by approaching the victim aggressively and then punching him twice and that CCTV footage showed Kevin O’Neill (30) grabbing the victim by the throat and putting him in a headlock. The court heard that 28-year-old Mr Burke was seen striking the victim on the head with a glass, which shattered on impact. The victim sustained injuries, including a laceration above his right eye and swelling to his forehead, requiring hospital treatment.
When questioned about the incident, Adrian O’Neill told gardaí: “I don't really remember it,” while Mr Burke admitted to swinging at the victim “at least twice”, but denied using a glass.
Solicitor Michael Lanigan told the court that tensions arose after a complaint was made about noise levels, with “words being exchanged” when the function moved from the private room to the main bar area.
The court heard that Mr Burke, who had no previous convictions, is a father of two and is a business development manager whose work often takes him abroad in such countries as Dubai, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
He said that Kevin O’Neill, who has five previous convictions, suffers from type 1 diabetes, has previously undergone dialysis and has impaired sight. Judge Carthy heard that Kevin O’Neill had received “very bad news” in the build-up to the event, receiving a prognosis of diminution of life expectancy. Adrian O’Neill, who had no previous convictions, is an electrician and father of two who is involved in community groups, said Mr Lanigan.
He continued that all three men were “highly embarrassed” by their actions and that their grandparents were “not impressed” by what had happened at their party. He continued that each of the defendants had €1,000 in court as compensation to the victim “as a concrete sign of their contrition” while also noting that an A&E consultant’s report described the laceration as “indicative of a glancing blow”.
Judge Carthy said it remained to be seen whether the victim would accept the €3,000 compensation offered. She added that she wanted to read a victim impact statement, if one was made available, before finalising the matter. She then adjourned sentencing until 2 April.
