A MAN had to be restrained by two other patrons after punching a barmaid.
Tony Duggan drank four Jameson at Teach Bhillie in Gortahork on the afternoon of December 15, 2019.
Duggan entered the premises at 12.30pm and became abusive and aggressive to other customers around 2pm, Falcarragh District Court heard.
Duggan was asked to leave the premises by a barmaid, who subsequently saw him in the back porch.
When he was asked to leave again, Duggan punched the barmaid in the face, causing the woman to fall to the floor. The woman suffered injuries to her right eye and her knee.
Two patrons came to the assistance of the barmaid and remained with Duggan until the arrival of his father.
Duggan (25) of Meenaclady, Meenlaragh was charged with assaulting he barmaid, Inspector Seamus McGonigle told the Court.
“Mr Duggan remembers nothing of this,” his solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher told the Court.
“He was deeply apologetic when he was told about the incident. He apologised to the owner and to the other man. There was no excuse for his behaviour. He accepted that he did it, he is so embarrassed and sorry.
“There is no explanation given or attempted.”
Judge Paul Kelly said the incident was ‘outrageous’.
“To strike anyone, let alone a woman, in this way, was reprehensible,” Judge Kelly said.
Mr Gallagher said €500 by way of compensation was available.
Judge Jelly adjourned the case to June 16 and asked for a victim impact statement.
“He will have to do better than €500,” Judge Kelly warned. “He will need at least the same again.”