A Gaelic footballer who assaulted his team manager after a club function that honoured the manager for his achievements has been given a 12-month suspended sentence.
Declan Kelly (25), Pollagh, Tullamore, Co Offaly, punched and tried to kick manager Seán Cooney just hours after the former All-Ireland footballer had been honoured for guiding the team to county championship glory. Mr Cooney received serious eye injuries in the attack.
The incident happened after the annual dinner dance of Erin Rovers GAA club, Pollagh, Co Offaly, in the Grand Hotel, Moate, last April.
Kelly was told yesterday by Judge Michael Reilly in Athlone District Court that the assault on Mr Cooney, as he returned to his car with the special crystal bowl presentation, was "gratuitous and unnecessary". The judge said Kelly had benefited from Mr Cooney's tuition, and if he had not pleaded guilty he would have received a lengthy sentence.
Kelly was warned that if he was convicted of any offence inside the next three years, the 12-month sentence would be activated. He was also told to pay €2,000 compensation in addition to the €3,000 already paid to Mr Cooney. A fine of €750 was also imposed.
Mr Cooney, who was a star player with Offaly in their 1971 and 1972 All-Ireland senior-title wins, managed the club to win the 2003 Offaly intermediate football championship. Kelly was a member of the successful squad.
Garda Mick Donnellan and Garda Gerry White were on the street at the time and saw Kelly walk up to Mr Cooney and punch him in the face. They also saw Kelly try to kick Mr Cooney.
Athlone District Court heard that Kelly had been told by his sister that their father had been involved in some sort of a disagreement with Mr Cooney at the dinner dance.
This enraged Kelly who went out on to the street after Mr Cooney and inflicted the damage. It later emerged that there had been no disagreement between Mr Cooney and Kelly's father.
Mr Cooney's tear duct was severed in the incident, and he had to be taken to the eye and ear hospital the following day. Insp Tom Curley said Mr Cooney still suffers from trouble with his eye and is facing further surgery.
The court heard that Kelly acted "out of character" and was involved in the local GAA and soccer clubs.
He was deeply apologetic for what had happened.