TWO young men who caused an affray in a Ballinasloe pub during which a staff member was bitten on the arm were told they’d better come back before the local Court with “thousands” in compensation for their victim or face the consequences.
Judge James Faughnan issued his warning to Keelan Crawley, 33 Hymany Park, and John Ward, 103 Hymany Park, Ballinasloe who were charged with offences related to the incident.
The Court was told the two defendants entered the Brewery Lane public house at 11pm on May 15, 2025. They went behind the bar and shouted and hit out at staff members.
Ward was removed struggling by staff but when they went to remove Crawley he bit a staff member on the arm.
Garda Sgt Christy Brown (prosecuting ) said the bite left teeth marks on the arm but the skin was not broken. Gardaí canvassed the victim for a victim impact statement, but this was declined.
Judge Faughnan asked if the defendants were working as they were going to need money for compensation.
Jack Duncan solr (defending ) said Ward had completed a Youth Reach programme and was hoping to get an apprenticeship. However, Crawley had a difficulty with finding work as he suffered from Crohn’s disease.
However, the Judge was not happy with this excuse. “I know people who work full-time with Crohn’s disease,” he said.
He added, “we’re talking thousands in compensation here. There better be substantial money when this comes back before the Court.”
The defence pleaded that Ward had written a letter of apology to the victim and Crawley had met him “face to face” and had apologised.
The case was adjourned until September with Judge Faughnan warning that a bite was a serious issue and he expected to see serious money in Court then, or there would be serious consequences for the defendants.
A family member asked the Judge how much compensation he was thinking of, but he told her they could figure that out for themselves and he would see what compensation they had on offer in September before deciding on his judgement.
