Published: Wednesday, 28th July, 2010 5:00pm

Cootehill man sentenced for assaults on four people

A Cootehill man who pleaded guilty to assaulting four people on two separate occasions was sentenced to a total of 20 months when he appeared at Cavan District Court.

Kevin King, 60 Drumnaveil, Cootehill, was sentenced to eight months for assaulting David Lynch, at Market Street, Cootehill, on October 25, 2009.

He was given three, four-month consecutive terms for assaulting Conor McCarville, Cathal Boyle and Garda Paul Fee at Church Street, Cootehill, on March 7, 2010.

In relation to the incident on October 25, Garda Fee said that David Lynch and Kevin King had been in each other's company when an altercation ensued. King struck Lynch and Lynch retaliated. David Lynch then crossed the street and Kevin King pursued him. There was a struggle and they fell to the ground. As a result, David Lynch sustained a head injury.

On March 7, Gda Fee was speaking to the defendant who was intoxicated and he became very abusive towards the gardaí. Garda Fee arrested him and there was a struggle and they fell to the ground. Garda Fee hit his head off the ground but he was not seriously injured.

Inspector Seamus Boyle said that also on March 7, gardaí were approached by Cathal Boyle at 3.30am and claimed he was head butted by Kevin King while he was waiting for a taxi. Mr. Boyle received injury to his nose and mouth.

Earlier that day, Garda Roddy saw the defendant hit Conor McCarville in the face. He required four stitches and sustained bruising to his neck. Mr. McCarville claimed that the defendant attacked him and Mr. McCarville fell to the ground where he was kicked in the head. Mr. McCarville was taken to Cavan General Hospital.

Inspector Boyle informed the court that the defendant had 45 previous convictions.

John Quigley, solicitor defending, said his client had a number of run ins with the law. He was hoping to return to college in Monaghan in September. The defendant freely admitted he had an alcohol problem.

His partner was due a baby in two weeks time. He was attempting to settle down and was attending AA meetings.

Judge David Anderson said the defendant's record was appalling. "He has five assaults since 2006 all of which attracted custodial sentences."

Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.