Mayo artist’s work impacted by hand injury suffered during assault on him on bus

An artist has stated in court that he will be unable to work with his hand in the same way ever again after it was injured in an assault on a bus in Achill over two years ago.

George Rowland, age 61, Dugort, Achill, pleaded guilty at a sitting of the local district court to assault causing harm to Antoin O'Heocha.

Sergeant John O’Reilly told the court that gardaí received a report of an incident that occurred on board a Bus Éireann bus in Achill Sound on September 14, 2023.

The bus had stopped to allow Rowland to disembark but he was refusing to do so as he was in an intoxicated state.

Mr. O'Heocha, who was a passenger onboard the bus, attempted to ask Rowland to leave the bus as it was being held up.

He ‘engaged’ with Rowland three times before he assaulted him and injured Mr. O'Heocha's hand.

Rowland had a number of previous convictions, the court heard.

Solicitor Mr. Gary Mulchrone said his client had lived in the UK for most of his life but had moved to Achill where he had family roots.

He said Rowland accepts he should never have put his hands on Mr. O'Heocha and that he was in the wrong, adding that Mr. O'Heocha was taking the bus to catch a train in Westport and was concerned that he would run late due to Rowland holding up the bus.

Mr. Mulchrone said Rowland himself had been the victim of a serious assault for which he was still receiving treatment.

Mr. O'Heocha told the court that he worked as an artist and he had been unable to use his hand in the same way since this assault occurred.

He said he had been told that “this is how it will be” for the rest of his life by physiotherapists.

Judge Sandra Murphy said it was an aggravating factor that this incident occurred on public transport where the people onboard had a right to feel safe and which was the bus driver’s place of work.

She said it was clear from Mr. O Heocha's victim impact statement that the incident had a significant impact on him.

Judge Murphy said she would require an up-to-date medical report from Rowland’s GP and a probation report to finalise the matter.

The judge adjourned the case until May 14 next.

*Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.