Longford man left assault victim with seven stitch head wound after 'glass bottle' attack
The defendant of Camlin Meadows, Longford, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm
A judge has directed a probation report is compiled on a Longford man who attacked a man who the defendant claimed through his solicitor was 'breaking into his home'.
Keith Reilly (25) of 47 Camlin Meadows, Longford, pleaded guilty at the local district court to assault causing harm on a local resident on his estate on November 1, 2024.
Sergeant Mark Mahon, for the State, said gardaí received a call in relation to an issue between residents at the housing estate.
"On arrival at the scene Garda Daly and Garda Gerrity observed a male with no top on and with injuries to his head with blood pouring down his face.”
Sgt Mahon said the victim of the assault, who also lives in the Camlin Meadows estate, was taken to Mullingar Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and the medical report stated that he required seven stitches."
Sgt Mahon said on December 11, 2024 Garda Daly obtained a statement from the injured party.
The complainant named Keith Reilly of 47 Camlin Mews as the person "who caused the injury to his head while striking him to the head a number of times with a glass bottle".
Sgt Mahon said on January 18, 2025, Mr Reilly attended Longford Garda Station by appointment and he was arrested and questioned by officers and he made full admissions and was fully cooperative.
Solicitor John Anderson stated his client was pleading guilty but there was one thing he wished to clarify.
"My client instructs me is that this man, the victim of this assault, was actually breaking into his house,” he said.
"He is pleading to the fact he got aggressive and hit him and it's part of the mitigation, it's not a defence."
Mr Reilly had two previous convictions.
Sgt Mahon on behalf of An Garda Síochána said he had no instructions that the complainant had broken into Mr Reilly's home and that was not accepted.
He stated there was a suspended sentence in the mix for an assault causing harm offence which was heard at Longford Criminal Circuit Court where Mr Reilly received a one year jail term, suspended for five years on June 2, 2021.
Judge Bernadette Owens decided to direct a probation and welfare report be compiled and she adjourned the case until April 21 next for review.