A LETTERKENNY man head-butted and then struck another man eleven times ‘over spreading rumours’, a court has heard.
Michael Doherty (26) of Orchard Grove, Letterkenny, was before Letterkenny District Court, on charges relating to an incident at the Warehouse Bar, High Road, Letterkenny on May 6, 2019.
Sergeant Gerard Dalton told the court that a man outlined to Gardai that he was attacked in the upstairs smoking area.
The man alleged that Doherty had head-butted him and struck him with his fist 11 times. The man suffered ’severe bruising’ and a chipped tooth.
Sergeant Dalton said that Gardaí were informed that the fight began ‘over spreading rumours’.
The incident was captured on CCTV. Doherty was subsequently arrested and made admissions.
The court heard of a further incident involving Doherty.
On October 6, 2018, Garda Sheridan was on patrol in Letterkenny when he observed a male leaving Main Street and going down Rosemount Lane. Garda Sheridan followed and saw the male take a bag of white powder from his pocket. On seeing Garda Sheridan, Doherty threw the bag.
When approached by Garda Sheridan, Doherty said: ‘You don’t understand, please. You don’t understand”.
Analysis confirmed that the substance was cocaine.
Defence solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian said that his client was ‘at a very low ebb’ at the time of the assault.
“He had an enormous amount of drink,” Mr Dorrian said. “He took the view that he was being laughed at and that he was ribbing him about losing his job. My client was in a position of some despair.
“It was a very large fall from grace and unfortunately he saw it as him rejoicing.”
Mr Dorrian said the second charge was the reason his client had lost his job.
“His life unravelled as a result.” he said.
Judge Paul Kelly adjourned the case to January 11 to allow for the preparation of community service and probation reports and for the submission of a victim impact statement.