Brothers punched and kicked man and dragged him along the ground in a bar in Tullamore

TWO brothers were charged with assaulting a man in Tullamore during a recent sitting of Tullamore District Court.

Patrick McDonagh and Dylan McDonagh, both with an address of 29 Cluain Na Spideoga, Cloghan were charged with assaulting Damien Bannon causing him harm on June 6 last.

Sgt James O'Sullivan told the court that the McDonaghs punched, kicked and dragged Damien Bannon along the ground in the bar when a “scuffle” broke out between the three men. “Mr Bannon was taken to hospital for a number of injuries. I have a photo of the injuries.” The Sergeant said he didn't have a victim impact statement in court. He pointed out that there was CCTV footage of the incident.

Patrick had two previous convictions, including one for assault in 2018.

The defending solicitor Patrick Martin said the two brothers hadn't been out socialising for quite a bit of time and unfortunately they had too much to drink. He said they didn't know Mr Bannon before this particular evening.

“Some heated words were exchanged between Patrick and Mr Bannon and it escalated into a scuffle. Patrick is 27 years of age and he apologises in a written letter. Dylan isn't working. He suffers from epilepsy. They have brought €800 to court in compensation to the victim.”

The court was told that the parents of Damien Bannon were present. Giving evidence, the mother of the injured party told the Judge that her son lost some back teeth as a result of the assault and he also suffered a fractured skull.

“I didn't recognise him when I saw him afterwards,” she remarked. “He is a big lad and he is never in any trouble. He was out for a few drinks when this happened. They didn't ring me that night afterwards because they knew I would be hysterical. In the weeks after the assault Damian became very anxious and nervous. He has put CCTV around the house and has dogs. He remains very anxious, very worried.”

Judge Cody asked if there had been any contact between the three men since. He was told there hadn't been any contact.

“This was an isolated incident,” Mr Martin said, “and too much drink was taken. Rest assured - they will have no contact with Mr Bannon.”

Judge Cody said €800 is not enough for this assault and he was thinking of imposing prison sentences for the brothers “unless they come up with some evidence of remorse. With that in mind I think €4,000 would be more appropriate - it needs to hurt them so this doesn't happen again.”

He adjourned to May 24 for payment of €4,000 in compensation on that date.

“Unprovoked attacks like this are outrageous,” he added. “People are entitled to go out for a night in Tullamore and not be attacked in this way.”