Longford man involved in street brawl hit with three month jail sentence

A defendant who participated in a street brawl that spilled out onto the road in Longford town was sentenced to three months in prison at Longford District Court.

Grigorijius Sibika (54) of Top Flat, Keanes Garage, Strokestown Road, Longford entered a plea of guilty to three charges, including one of assaulting Kamil Bulzak during a fight in Longford town.

Sergeant Enda Daly told the court that on January 24, 2024 Longford Garda station received a call about an altercation on Main Street, Longford.

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When the officers arrived they saw two intoxicated males engaged in a fight on the footpath of the street.

The row spilled out onto the road and interfered with traffic and members of the public.

Mr Sibika took a vodka bottle from his pocket and attempted to strike the other person with it.

The defendant threw the bottle at the other man, missing him but smashing it on the ground.

The defendant was arrested.

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Sgt Daly said Mr Sibika, who is currently serving a prison sentence, has 11 previous convictions including those for assault and breaches of the public order.

Solicitor Frank Gearty explained that his client has been resident in Ireland for over 20 years.

He said the defendant is from a good family, all of whom are in gainful employment.

“He is battling a terrible drink problem,” Mr Gearty said, “He acknowledges this and has tried to undergo a course of treatment in Cuan Mhuire.”

The solicitor told the judge that the CCTV indicated that his client was attacked first and that he produced the bottle after the initial attack.

Mr Gearty said the defendant is “plagued by addiction” and has “brought shame on himself and those who care for him”.

In concluding the matter Judge Owens noted the defendant entered an early plea to charges before the court.

The judge said there was evidence that Mr Sibika was “in throes of alcohol addiction” and even though there were no significant injuries sustained he was on bail at the time.

The judge imposed a three months prison sentence for the assault, which will run concurrent to the one he is already serving. Charges of engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour and breach of bail were taken into consideration.