District court briefs

'Zero tolerance' for fighting A west Cavan man who pleaded guilty to assaulting another man in Ballyconnell on new year's day was directed to pay his victim €500 in compensation when he appeared at the local district court. Gerard McLoughlin, Derrynatuan, Glangevlin, was charged with assaulting Pauric O'Reilly at Main Street, Ballyconnell, on January 1. Inspector Alan Cunningham said gardaí were on duty at Main Street when they observed a group of males standing in the middle of the street. One of the males, the defendant, struck out a number of times hitting Mr. O'Reilly, which resulted in him bleeding from the nose. The injuries he suffered were quite superficial. The defendant had no previous convictions. Defending solicitor John Mr. Paul Feeley said his client had left to work in the UK and he came back for the court case. He had hoped to return to the UK and he had a sum of money with him in court. Judge Sean MacBride said he had "zero tolerance" for street fighting. If the defendant had previous convictions he would have sent him away. "I hope this is a salutary lesson for him." Judge MacBride would not tolerate people fighting on the street under the influence of alcohol. Partners order to make donations Two partners who were intoxicated in Ballyconnell were directed to make a donation to the local branch of St. Vincent de Paul when they appeared before the local district court. David Flynn and Shireen McGovern, 5 Doonbeg, Ballyconnell, were charged with being intoxicated at Church Street, Ballyconnell, on June 11, and directed to pay €250 each to the VDP. Inspector Alan Cunningham said that at 2.50pm gardaí received a call to go to Church Street, where an individual was lying in the middle of the street. When they arrived they found Mr. Flynn and he was accompanied by Ms McGovern. They were arrested for their own safety. Defending solicitor Mr. Hilary Fitzpatrick said his clients had some recent misfortunes and Ms McGovern had a miscarriage. Judge Sean MacBride said they could have been killed lying on the street in a drunken state like that. "It is time that this type of thing had to stop." Ms McGovern had been before the court previously and maybe he should not be giving her a chance as she had already got one. She has had problems and he was sorry for what she had gone through. He was also going to be merciful with Mr. Flynn. If both gave an undertaking that they would not commit public order again he would give them a chance. Both defendants gave the undertaking and Judge MacBride directed them to make the donation. Underage person on premises A publican who pleaded guilty to having a person over the age of 15 but under the age of 18 on his premises after 9pm has been directed to donate €200 to St. Vincent de Paul. Sean Leonard, 10 Morrissey Park, Belturbet, appeared before Ballyconnell District Court charged with the offence at Danny Boy's, Holborn Hill, Belturbet, on November 21. Garda Dermot Lavin said at 11.15pm he entered the premises and inside the front door he met a young person whom he knew to be under 18 years. He had a bottle of Budweiser and a vodka and Red Bull. The youth claimed to be there to wish his friend a happy 19th birthday. Judge Sean macBride said it was not the worst case and if he could afford to make a donate he would deal with it in that way. "I accept the licensee had no responsibility in the matter."