Melee at GAA game in Offaly: Player's cheekbone and jaw fractured during football match
Two sent off following melee with Clonbullogue footballer charged with assault causing harm
A PLAYER'S cheekbone and jaw were fractured during a GAA football match when a player in the opposing team struck him, last week's sitting of Tullamore District Court was told.
James Byrne of Clonad, Clonbullogue, Offaly was charged with assaulting Joseph Cahill causing him harm at Clonbullogue, Edenderry on July 11 last.
The 29 year old pleaded guilty to the offence. The defending barrister David Nugent told the court this act was a complete aberration in terms of Mr Byrne's normal character. The court was told that Mr Byrne hit Mr Cahill once in the face during a football match between Shandonagh from Westmeath and Clonbullogue.
Two Clonbullogue players, including the defendant, were sent off during the challenge game between Clonbullogue and Shandonagh. There was a general melee near the end of the game and the referee called a halt to proceedings with time almost up. Mr Byrne and the other Clonbullogue player received a two match ban after the game.
Mr Nugent said his client couldn't “apologise enough. He doesn't make any excuses for his behaviour. He owns his behaviour. He has gathered together €5,000 in compensation to give to the injured party.”
Judge Andrew Cody remanded the defendant on continuing bail to May 27 next for a Victim Impact Statement.