A judge has said €855 compensation offered to a woman hit by a bottle during a pub row is not enough.
The innocent woman, who was caught in the crossfire, was struck by a bottle thrown by Barry Gildea during a fight at the Cavern Bar in Letterkenny on St Patrick’s Day.
Gildea, of Correnagh, Letterkenny appeared in court to pay more compensation to the woman for her injuries.
However after reading the about the injuries suffered by the young woman, Judge Paul Kelly said the compensation offered was simply not enough.
The court heard that when arrested, Gildea (20), was very abusive and spat on the shirt of a Gardai.
Solicitor Kieran Dillon said he appreciated the seriousness of the case but that his client simply did not have a lot of funds.
He suspected the compensation money came from family because he was only on €100 a week jobseeker’s allowance.
Judge Kelly said that for a man who engaged in such behaviour, he received a positive report from the probation services.
The court also said Gildea has sent Garda Regan €75 to have his shirt cleaned.
Judge Kelly ordered Gildea to do 120 hrs community service in lieu of six months in jail and also 40 hours community service on Garda Regan in lieu of two months in jail.
Judge Kelly told the accused “What you did that night had a sig impact on this young lady and has had a very severe affect on her. In other circumstances you might be going to prison.
“Facts are you didn’t set out to throw the bottle at this young lady but it did have severe consequences. The probation services said you are otherwise of good character.
“Your drinking habits has brought you to the brink of jail. I have also taken int account your extremely limited resources.
“If you appear before me on similar matters I will not be dealing with it by means of community service. An apology is cold comfort to this lady and I hope she recovers from this,” he said.