An Oranmore man who turned up in court with €3,000 in cash to compensate a man who suffered what a judge described as “a terrible gash” to his lip which required hospital treatment and stitches, was told to come back with another €1,000 and a good report from a Restorative Justice programme he was ordered to attend.
Judge Valerie Corcoran heard at Galway District Court that Finley Saddler, Bog Road, Oranmore was in the Olde Brewery pub in Oranmore when he met his victim.
Prosecuting Garda Sgt Clare Heneghan outlined the facts of the case. The two men knew each other and there had been some trouble between them previously. Saddler punched his victim in the face and split his lip. It was bleeding heavily and the wound needed to be stitched in hospital.
Judge Corcoran was shown a photograph of the wounded lip and she expressed unease at the damage done to the victim’s face, telling defence solicitor Michael Cunningham that the wound was very deep.
She asked if teeth had been damaged and was told the victim suffered numbness and had to receive some dental work. There was also a scar left by the wound.
The judge was informed that the victim also suffered a loss of income to the tune of €2,500 while he recovered from the assault.
Mr Cunningham said that his client was 28 and had no previous convictions. This was his first time before a court and he was taking the matter very seriously. He offered a full and sincere apology to his victim. As a token of his remorse he had €3,000 with him to offer as compensation.
His client is a second-year electrical apprentice and earns €400 per week, he added.
Judge Corcoran asked if this was a matter in which following a Restorative Justice programme might be appropriate, including being brought together with his victim if he agreed to this.
Adjourning sentencing until September 28, the judge said she would like to see that his remorse was genuine and sincere and reflected in his report. If he returned with a favourable report then she saw “a window” for him.
“It was a terrible gash,” she added, and told the defendant that when he came back to court he would need to have another €1,000 for his victim.
