Favourable report in court for man guilty of Offaly assault

A MAN is due to be sentenced next month for an assault committed in Banagher earlier this year.

Tullamore District Court heard that Raymond Cooke (49), Cappaneale Park, Birr had completed the restorative justice programme after pleading guilty to assaulting Donagh Larkin on March 17.

Mr Cooke had also paid €2,500 in compensation to the injured party.

When the case came up for review last Wednesday, Judge Valerie Corcoran was told that the restorative justice report was favourable.

Judge Corcoran was also told that the judge who was sitting when the plea of guilty was originally entered, Judge Andrew Cody, would deal with the matter favourably if the report was a favourable one.

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It was also noted that the assault was out of character for the accused.

Judge Corcoran adjourned sentencing to November 11 next for Judge Cody to finalise it.

The court had previously heard that Mr Cooke's involvement in the assault occurred after he had been telephoned by his son to go to a licensed premises in Banagher. His son had been in contact with the injured party and Mr Cooke had acted to protect his son, for whom he is a carer.

The accused's partner had passed away in December 2023. He apologised to the injured party by text message a few days later and had brought €2,500 to court.

The court was told the assault on Main Street resulted in the injured party getting a fractured nose. Mr Cooke had no previous convictions.