Longford man jailed for steel bar assault following altercation in pub over plumbing job

A judge has said if he’d had the jurisdiction to disqualify both an assault-accused and his victim from driving, he would have done so following evidence of an altercation in a pub, after which both men drove in an intoxicated state to the home of the victim.

Gerard Sammon (50), with an address at Bunlahy, Aughakilmore, Co Longford, appeared before a sitting of Longford Circuit Court where he was sentenced by Judge Kenneth Connolly.

He pleaded guilty to the section three assault causing harm to another man after an altercation in a Granard bar in March of last year.

READ NEXT: Longford resident jailed after Finnish companies scammed out of thousands of euros

The court previously heard evidence of how Mr Sammon had engaged the victim to carry out some plumbing on his home after it had burned down accidentally with no insurance in place.

The two men had a “falling out” regarding the work, with allegations that the victim either hadn’t completed the work, or hadn’t done so satisfactorily. A sum of €1,700 remained outstanding on the victim’s bill.

There was mention of this made in the pub on March 14, 2024, where both men were drinking, with the accused saying “come out to the smoking area and we’ll sort this out”. The injured party didn’t go out and was told “you’re a coward”.

There was some “pushing and shoving”, the court heard, and the bar tender escorted the injured party out. He drove seven kilometres home.

READ NEXT: PICTURES | Old School New School motor show fuels Longford's passion for classic cars

“I’m very clear in my view that if I had the jurisdiction to disqualify him, I would do so, but I don’t. It seems clear he had alcohol and drove home,” said Judge Connolly.

The injured party was then followed by Mr Sammon, who came onto the curtilege of the victim’s property, shouting “get out, ya little c*nt”.

Mr Sammon had admitted to drinking heavily - between ten to 12 pints, and ten to 12 brandys, the court heard. He was “extremely intoxicated”.

He shouted “now I’ve got you”, and struck the injured party on the left side of his head and ear, with a piece of rebar steel.

The injured party fell to the ground, hitting his head. He was bleeding profusely and had a substantial injury to his ear, with part of it missing. Mr Sammon left him on the ground, the court heard.

The victim received medical care in Tullamore, and needed plastic surgery to reassemble his ear. He also had a cut on his scalp behind the ear, some swelling and bruising, as well as an injury to his hip.

“I’ve seen the pictures, and they truly are a horrible sight. There is no victim impact statement, but I’m advised that, in addition to a loss of earnings from his work, he incurred extra losses of over €3,000,” said Judge Connolly.

The incident had “a profound effect” on Mr Sammon himself, Judge Connolly noted. He is unable to sleep and suffers remorse. He said he “lost the plot” that night.

“There was an element of premeditation in that he followed the victim home with certain intent. The rebar steel was used as a weapon and saying ‘now I’ve got you’ demonstrated his premeditation. There was an extreme level of violence involved,” said Judge Connolly.

“It’s very clear it was an incredibly dangerous act to wield the steel into the side of the victim’s head and it is a relief he didn’t suffer more significnt injuries. That being said, he did suffer significant injuries. The photographs are truly horrible to look at.

“Part of his ear is severed and he must have suffered horrible psychological effects. Mr Sammon seems to be acutely aware of the effects on the victim. That being said, he has made no effort to repay the €3,500 the victim lost. I was informed €3,000 would be made available, then I was informed €5,000 would be made available, but it’s not.”

Judge Connolly noted it had been 16 months since the incident and “it seems some better effort could have been made”.
Mr Sammon has six previous convictions and has come to adverse Garda notice since this offence, but that has “hopefully” been remedied by his attempts at rehabilitation.

“It is a callous act to leave somebody so badly injured on the ground, having struck them with a steel bar. This clearly passes the immediate custodial threshold,” said Judge Connolly, setting a headline sentence “somewhat generously” at five years.

However, noting various mitigating factors, such as the plea of guilt, his rehabilitation, the fact he made full admissions and a heartfelt apology, he reduced that sentence to three years, with the final 18 months suspended for three years post-release.

“It’s so difficult to understand why the financial loss was not addressed, given the amount of time gone by. Some token or attempt or commencement of some form of compensation should have been put forward, but unfortunately not,” said Judge Connolly.