Longford District Court: Probation Bond entered for GAA ground attacker

A young man who struck a volunteer at a GAA club when asked to leave the area entered a bond to come under the supervision of probation service for one year.
Dion Higgins (19) of 2 Crois Bothair, Drumlish pleaded guily to a charge that on June 11, 2022 at Longford Slashers GAA grounds he assaulted Michael Hackett.

Between 5:15pm and 5:30pm on the date of the incident Longford Garda Station received a report about an assault by a number of youths at the Longford town GAA grounds.
When the officers got to the scene they met with the victim who had a lump over his eye. Mr Hackett, a volunteer at the GAA club, was marking out the pitches at the time. A number of young people were drinking in the stand of the GAA ground, when the club member approached them they were smashing glass bottles.

Mr Hackett asked them to stop and leave the area. One of the group grabbed him and another young man struck him above the eye. The young people quickly left the area after the assault.
After speaking to Mr Hackett the Gardai found the group of young people at a park bench nearby. Some were in an intoxicated condition. Mr Hackett identified Mr Higgins as the one who struck him. The court was told the victim's injury was not “long lasting”.

The defendant, who had no previous convictions, was 17 at the time. At the last court sitting it was directed that Mr Higgins undergo an assessment by the Probation and Welfare Service.
Solicitor John Quinn, said his client had received a favourable report. The report and a victim impact statement were assessed by Judge Patricia Cronin.

Noting that a sum of compensation had been paid to the court poor box, Judge Cronin said she would direct that the defendant enter a probation bond for a period of 12 months, come under the supervision of Probation Services and attend all necessary appointments.