Suspended sentence for early morning assault in Offaly pub

A THREE-month sentence, suspended for three years, was imposed on a man for an assault in Banagher which Judge Andrew Cody said was “serious enough”.

Michael Connolly (42), Beechgrove, Belmont, Birr was also fined €500 for assaulting Noah Richardson at Simon Lyons' pub, Main Street, Banagher on October 13, 2024, causing the victim harm.

Sergeant Richard Thornton said the assault occurred at 1am in the pub and resulted in the victim having to go to the emergency department in Tullamore Hospital because of his injury.

Tullamore District Court was told Mr Connolly had four previous convictions, one of which was for assault.

David Nugent, BL, defending, said it could be seen from a probation report before the court that there were complexities in Mr Connolly's life.

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“He's a big man and may have been in some distress that night,” said Mr Nugent, emphasising that did not take away from what the accused had done.

The probation report indicated Mr Connolly was at low risk of reoffending and was also needed by his family at home.