Longford man 'lost the plot' and attacked victim with iron bar

A defendant who hit another man with a 16 inch reinforced steel bar was told he must pay €10,000 to the victim before Judge Kenneth Connolly concludes the matter in June.

Gerard Sammon (49) of Bunlahy, Aughakilmore, Longford pleaded guilty in Longford Circuit Court to assault causing harm and trespassing with an offensive weapon at Cranally, Granard.

Witness for the prosecution Garda Gerard Clougher gave the court an outline of the events that brought the defendant before the court.

Plumber Paul McGinn was working early in the day and when he finished work and on his way home called in to Fay's Pub in Granard.

Garda Clougher said that Mr McGinn and Mr Sammon were known to each other at the time. Mr McGinn carried out domestic plumbing works for Mr Sammon, but there were issues about completing the work and the subsequent payment.

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The accused man's house burned down in 2010 and after it was rebuilt he engaged Mr McGinn to do the plumbing work. He paid for the first fix and after the second fix a balance of €1,700 was owed.

Mr McGinn refused to address any issues until the outstanding balance was paid. This was a source of consternation between the parties and although Mr McGinn had sent out an invoice he never returned to the job.

On the day of the assault Mr McGinn saw Mr Sammon in the pub, but because of a dispute between the two did not initially speak.

The court heard when Mr McGinn saw the defendant he said: “Well Gerry,” and Mr Sammon replied: “Don't you well Gerry me.”

The two men drank in separate parts of the pub, and at one stage Mr Sammon approached Mr McGinn and said: “Come on out to the smoking area and we'll sort this out.”

The other man replied: “I'm not going anywhere with you.”

Later in the evening Mr Sammon again approached the plumber and said: “You're nothing but a coward, why not go out to the smoking area?”

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Mr McGinn replied: “Come out now,” and squared up to the other man. Bar owner, Sinead Fay, intervened between the two men to separate them. Mr McGinn left the pub and drove home.

Garda Clougher told the court that after the altercation at 7:40pm Mr Sammon drove the 6.8km to Mr McGinn's home.

The plumber was parked in his driveway on the phone when he saw the headlights of a black Toyota Landcruiser coming up his drive. The vehicle “flew up the lane” and stopped 10 to 20 feet away.

Gerry Sammon got out of the driver seat and came up to the door of Mr McGinn's car and said: “Get out you little c**t.”

Mr McGinn tried to kick at the defendant to get him away. As he was dragged out of the car he saw Mr Sammon had a length of rebar in his hand. The plumber was hit to the left side of the head and fell to the ground.

The victim heard Mr Sammon get back in his jeep and drive off. He stopped at the bottom of the drive and shouted back: “Now I got you.”

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The person on the other end of the phone heard the entire altercation and drove to the house. Shortly after this Mr McGinn, who was missing part of his ear as a result of the attack, received a call from Gerry Sammon's son, but just ended the call.

He initially attended MiDoc, and later was treated in Tullamore and St James' Hospital. The victim received 25 stitches, plastic surgery on his ear and underwent a scan.

Part of Mr McGinn's ear was missing and the cartilage was exposed, he sustained cuts to his forehead, swelling and bruising.

Two medical reports, photographs of the ear injury were in the book of evidence. The weapon Mr Sammon inflicted the injuries on was a 16 inch piece of steel rebar.

In a subsequent interview with Gardaí Mr Sammon made full admission saying he “lost the plot”.

He admitted drinking 10 pints and 10 brandies before the incident and crashing his jeep on the way home from Mr McGinn's home: “I was at boiling point,” he told the officers.

The defendant said he never hit a person with an iron bar before. Mr Sammon, who had six previous convictions all for road traffic, was very cooperative throughout the investigation. The married father of three children farms, but up until 2016 he worked in the Longford town factory before having a workplace injury.

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In the witness box Mr Sammon said: “I am very sorry for what I done,” going on to speak of mental health issues and explain that he has engaged with alcohol and drug services and intends to undertake a treatment programme.

His wife Catriona Sammon, also addressed the court: “It's hard to put into words the hurt to Paul McGinn and his family,” she said. Ms Sammon said the “shame and guild” of her husband's actions affected all her family.

“Gerry's mental health took a dip at that time, he had lost his dad and his best friend around the time and it really affected him,” she told the court. The defendant's wife said her husband had been off drink for a long time after their house burned down, but went back on it and became dependent.

“He's a good man who made a horrible mistake. This was so out of character for Gerry. He is a kind and gentle man. He found it hard to come to terms with what he did. He is the chain that holds us together,” Ms Sammon said.

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A Probation Service assessment of the defendant deemed him a “moderate risk” of re-offending. Counsel, Neasa O’Callaghan BL, explained that her client had “struggled with alcohol and mental health issues”.

Judge Connolly said he would “stay his hand” on the sentencing options available to him. The judge indicated that the offence warrants a custodial sentence, because of his alcohol issues. Judge Connolly directed Mr Sammon enter a new bail bond for €1,000.

The conditions attached with the bond were that he engage with Probation Service on a suitable residential programme also enrol with alcohol anonymous within seven days and attend all meetings and abstain from alcohol pending sentence.
Mr Sammon is prohibited from attending licensed premises, except for family meals, and that he collects compensation of €10,000 before the matter returns before the court in July.