Assault accused was terrorised by man he punched

Thursday, 20 January 2011 12:20

A defendant in an assault case has been terrorised by the man he was accused of striking, who allegedly carried a bladed implement during an incident on Bridge Street in Castlebar, the local court has heard. Three people were before the court on various charges arising from the incident on June 7 last.
Stephen Conway, 20 Springfield Court, Castlebar, admitted a charge of assault on a male, who cannot be identified.

Alan Dunne, Ennismore House, Blackfort, Castlebar, pleaded not guilty to engaging in threatening, insulting or abusive words or behaviour, while Cherise Thackery, with an address at 56 Garryduff Drive, Castlebar, pleaded guilty to that charge.
After hearing evidence in each case, Judge Mary Devins gave all three accused the benefit of a dismissal under the Probation Act.
Garda Caoimhe Walsh found 20 to 30 people in a fight when she attended Bridge Street at 9.55 p.m.
CCTV footage showed Stephen Conway rolling around with a third party on the ground who he punched numerous times. There was an earlier incident in which the third party threw an object in his vicinity.

Defence solicitor Mr. James Ward said the third party had punched Conway and he reacted.
The garda agreed the third party was aggressive and he appeared to have something in his hand, waving it at Conway.
Mr. Ward said Conway, 24, had no previous convictions and is working in England. There was a history of him being basically terrorised by the third party over a number of years.
An implement with two razor blades was produced and waved around, and this followed an earlier incident where Conway was minding his own business and a bottle was thrown at him.
Then, as he was minding his own business again, the third party cycled by, punched him, went on his merry way, and Conway pursued him.

Asked by the judge if he was afraid of the third party, Conway said 'yes'.
Inspector Martin Byrne advised the court a bench warrant is out for that person.
The judge said she would give Conway the benefit of the Probation Act, and even though this was his home he might be advised to high tail it back to England.
In the other two cases, Garda Walsh gave evidence that Alan Dunne was standing around the edge of a skirmish, behaving in an aggressive manner and shouting and roaring. He was directed to leave and he complied.
On CCTV she saw him squaring up to a male as if to entice him to fight. He prevented people going in to break up the fight and pushed them away.

Cherise Thackery was shouting and roaring at people and trying to get involved in the row. She kicked out at one person.
In his statement Alan Dunne explained he was in a pub when someone shouted that Conway was in trouble. The third party, who can't be named, made swiping motions at them with a knife or blade.
That person ended up fighting with Conway on the ground and Dunne tried to keep a few others away from the fight. The guards came, took the third party away, and he returned to the pub.
Solicitor Mr. Tom Walsh said Cherise Thackery, 23, had no previous convictions and there was no excuse for her conduct. She has since moved away from the area.
Mr. Ward, for Dunne, said his client was trying to prevent others getting involved in the fracas.
Again, the judge gave both defendants the benefit of the Probation Act.