A plumber who assaulted his former partner's new boyfriend, breaking his jaw, was advised to "move on" and accept the fact the relationship was over, when he appeared before Galway District Court this week.

Judge Mary Fahy also gave Colin Lynskey (29), of 16 Glenburren Park, Galway, until next January to pay the balance of €4,000 in compensation to the victim of the assault, Ivor Harney, and warned the accused to stay away from Mr Harney from now on.

Lynskey pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Harney, causing him harm at 68 The Friary, Claregalway, on 1 September last year.

Inspector Mick Coppinger said Mr Harney was in the sitting room of a house he now shares with Sharon Molloy, at The Friary, when Lynskey, Ms Molloy's former partner and father of her child, arrived.

She was putting their son to bed at the time and Lynskey became agitated and annoyed over her new relationship with Mr Harney. He ordered Mr Harney to leave and assaulted him both inside and outside the house, breaking his jaw.

Defence solicitor, Olivia Traynor said her client, a self-employed plumber, had been in a relationship with Ms Molloy for ten years and they had a son together. She said her client has access to the child and was a good father.

She said he now accepted his behaviour was unacceptable and that violence could jeopardise his current situation. She said he had €2,000 in compensation to offer to Mr Harney and would come up with more money if given time.

Mr Harney told Judge Fahy his face was bruised all over because the accused kicked him and stood on him during the assault. He said he was off work from a factory he runs with a business partner for three weeks.

Judge Fahy told Lynskey it was time to "move on" and accept the relationship with Ms Molloy was over. She made an order for the payment of €4,000 compensation to Mr Harney, advising him that he could also bring a civil action against the accused for damages if he so wished.

She adjourned the case to 12 January next year, for payment of the €2,000 balance and indicated she would be imposing a custodial sentence for the assault on that day but would be suspending it with conditions attached, including that he stay away from Mr Harney.

Judge Fahy also directed that Lynskey pay €100 witness expenses to a hotel porter, who was in court, prepared to give evidence on Mr Harney's behalf.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment